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Study Reveals Ancient Human Sacrifice and Inbreeding Practices

4/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

A study in Science Advances reports interbreeding and ritual human sacrifice at the Imdang-Joyeong burial site.
Dating to about 1,600 years ago in the Three-Kingdoms period, sunjang tombs show servants sacrificed to accompany their superiors.
DNA analysis of 78 individuals from 44 graves reveals 54 pairs of relatives, including parents and children buried together.
The study also finds inbreeding among both the elite and sacrificed individuals, indicating intracommunity marriage practices.

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Story summary

A study in Science Advances reports interbreeding and ritual human sacrifice at the Imdang-Joyeong burial site.
Dating to about 1,600 years ago in the Three-Kingdoms period, sunjang tombs show servants sacrificed to accompany their superiors.
DNA analysis of 78 individuals from 44 graves reveals 54 pairs of relatives, including parents and children buried together.
The study also finds inbreeding among both the elite and sacrificed individuals, indicating intracommunity marriage practices.