In an empty lot outside the northern Peruvian city of Trujillo, archaeologists have found the remains of nearly 50 children, believed to have been sacrificed 600 years ago.

“Many of the bodies have cuts on the sternum, some on the ribs,” said archaeologist Julio Asensio.

Each child was buried separately. Also found nearby were the remains of two adults and nine llamas – likely an offering to the gods as these animals were a source of food, clothing and transport at the time.

The victims are believed to have belonged to the local Tsimou tribe, which had dominated northern Peru since 700 AD. until the end of the 15th century, Asensio reported.

Historians believe the tribe performed child sacrifices in an attempt to appease the gods, following heavy rains and floods. A few decades later they were conquered by the Incas.

Scientists had found another Tsimou mass sacrifice nearby: 140 children, all with cuts on their sternums and ribs, along with hundreds of llamas.

Peru has hundreds of archaeological sites from pre-Hispanic tribes to the Inca Empire, which stretched from what is now southern Ecuador to central Chile.