Human sacrifice, a practice deeply entrenched in history, held diverse purposes ranging from averting calamities to affirming rulership. Although widely documented in antiquity, evidence from prehistoric times remains elusive due to its scarcity.

While global perceptions shifted towards valuing individual lives, the Aztecs of northern Mexico notably embraced human sacrifice as a central aspect of their culture. This age-old ritual, relatively uncommon worldwide, played pivotal roles in Mesoamerican society, occurring during festivals, conflicts, and even to commemorate architectural achievements. The construction of the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, for instance, is believed to have resulted in the sacrifice of thousands, as noted by anthropologist Ross Hassig.

Spanish conquistadors vividly described Aztec human sacrifices, mirroring grisly depictions found in pre-Columbian codices. Accounts depict priests restraining victims while extracting their hearts, with blood flowing down pyramids as onlookers observed. Despite the brutality, these narratives preserved the memory of these rituals.

However, human sacrifice wasn’t exclusive to the Aztecs, nor did they pioneer it. The practice dates back to the Bronze Age and likely earlier, with archaeological evidence spanning various cultures, from Paleolithic Europeans to ancient Chinese civilizations. Motivations for such sacrifices varied, with some resembling Aztec customs and others unique to their respective societies.

Rationales for human sacrifice

The history of human sacrifice intertwines with the evolution of religion and superstition, deeply rooted in humanity’s fear and curiosity about death. John Skinner posits in “Ritual Matricide: A Study of the Origins of Sacrifice” that prehistoric religion emerged as a magical sacrament aimed at denying death’s reality. This perspective primarily delves into Paleolithic societies, devoid of the intricate social, political, and economic structures seen in later cultures like the Aztecs.

While human sacrifice is predominantly associated with the Aztecs, it extends beyond them, with evidence dating back to the Bronze Age and possibly further. Various cultures, from Paleolithic Europeans to ancient Chinese settlers, engaged in this practice for diverse reasons, some akin to the Aztecs and others unique to their cultures.

Religiously motivated sacrifices manifested in different forms across cultures. For instance, in China, Mongolia, Egypt, and Mesoamerica, important individuals were interred alongside their servants or concubines in practices known as “retainer sacrifices.” These rituals aimed to ensure the care of the deceased in the afterlife. Similarly, the Incas of pre-Columbian Peru conducted capacocha rituals, sacrificing virgin women and children to appease the gods and prevent natural disasters.

The Aztecs viewed sacrifices as debt payments to the gods, believing that life and sustenance were gifts bestowed by divine forces. Sacrificial rituals, including those at the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, were performed to bless rulers’ reigns and symbolize their power.

Ultimately, human sacrifice often aimed to protect the majority at the expense of a minority. It was employed not only to avert disasters and ensure prosperity but also to secure victory in wars and reinforce rulers’ authority. Tales from Japanese and Balkan communities hint at similar practices aimed at safeguarding against future destruction, as supported by archaeological findings.