Ancient Peruvians' Response to Climate Disasters: Human Sacrifice and Low Violence

• Researchers examined over 1,500 ancient Peruvian skeletons to study societal responses to climate disasters.
• Mass human sacrifices were observed in the Lambayeque Valley of northern Peru, often following El Niño flooding events.
• Despite these sacrifices, levels of violence among the population remained low.
• The findings suggest that ancient societies may have adapted to climate disasters through ritual sacrifices rather than violence.
• Human sacrifice occurred over millennia and was thought to be an attempt to appease the gods during adverse weather conditions.