'Political motivations' of Inca emperor led to the sacrifice of 3 children on a snow-capped volcano over 500 years ago, study suggests Live Science By: kkillgrove@livescience.com (Kristina Killgrove) 14 June 2026 at 14:00 An analysis of corn, cassava and coca plants discovered with sacrificed Inca children reveals they died during the reign of one of the last Inca emperors.