Ep 5. Inca Mummies: Secrets of the Lost World

In this episode of Ancient Civilizations, the focus is on the Inca Empire and their mummies. The Inca Empire, also known as the "Children of the Sun," ruled over a vast territory in modern-day South America before being conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century.

The episode starts with a brief history of the Inca Empire and their beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. The Inca mummies were not buried underground like Egyptian mummies, but rather placed in stone tombs on the mountainside. The Inca believed that the mummies still had a connection to the living world and that they served as mediators between the living and the dead.

The show's host travels to Peru to explore these tombs and the mummies within. He meets with experts in the field who explain how the mummies were preserved and why they were so important to the Inca people. The experts also discuss the challenges facing modern-day archaeologists in their attempts to study these mummies without damaging them.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Inca mummies is the evidence of medical procedures that were performed on the bodies. The Inca had advanced medical knowledge and were able to perform intricate surgeries, such as trepanning (a surgical procedure in which a hole is drilled into the skull). The mummies show evidence of successful surgeries, indicating that the Inca had highly skilled surgeons.

The episode then focuses on the sacrifice of children in Inca culture. The Inca believed that their children were the most valuable offering they could make to the gods, and children were often sacrificed in religious ceremonies. The show explores the discovery of a mass grave of children at the top of a mountain in Peru, whose bodies were mummified due to the extreme cold. Archaeologists speculate that these children were chosen for their beauty and perfection, and were likely drugged before being sacrificed.

Overall, this episode of Ancient Civilizations is a fascinating look at the Inca Empire and their mummies. It offers insight into the beliefs and practices of a culture that is often misunderstood and overlooked. The episode's focus on medical procedures and child sacrifice adds depth to our understanding of Inca civilization and the complexity of their beliefs.