"The point is that a ritual murder is an indication that the victims were considered powerful enough to kill in a special way"
Do we know that? How do we know that the people who buried them were the same people that killed them?
Good point.This was all barbaric bs and people can interpret it any way.Sure kill off the blood lines of those who built and held knowledge but less of warfare.Many these party girls of now would have been apalled at the lack of grooming yet appreciate the multiple attention.Then,Zing!
Personally, I don't know. I assume that this is not the first time a grave with this type of execution has been exhumed, and that the people who study this culture are familiar with this type of burial.
It's not as if Mesoamerican culture is a blank slate.