“Non-violent child sacrifices” controversy

[guy]

 

An altar from the Teotihuacan culture was found in Guatemala, the region of the later Mayan culture. The altar was believed to have been used for human sacrifices, especially of children. The remains of three children, no older than four years, were found at the sides of the altar.

 

Of course, in an effort not to offend, this practice of child sacrifice has been described by the media as “nonviolent.”

This has created some controversy.

 

Quote

 

María Belén Méndez, an archaeologist who was not involved with the project, said the discovery confirms "that there has been an interconnection between both cultures and what their relationships with their gods and celestial bodies was like."

"We see how the issue of sacrifice exists in both cultures. It was a practice; it's not that they were violent, it was their way of connecting with the celestial bodies," she said.

 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/tikal-altar-guatemala-jungle-used-sacrifices-mayan-teotihuacan-cultures/

 

The academic article on the research

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/teotihuacan-altar-at-tikal-guatemala-central-mexican-ritual-and-elite-interaction-in-the-maya-lowlands/78F1EE665FD51C6B41457872CDA20A80

 

 

 

 

 

A largely nonviolent depiction of human sacrifices in Mesoamerica from the movie “Apocalyptico.”

 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by guy

[guidoLaMoto]

While most of us who've ever had 2 of 3 y/o kids to care for know the strong temptation to rub out the over-active, little nuisances,  most us resist the urge. Apparently  neither the Mayans nor the Cartiginians had such good self control.

Long thought to be anti-Carthage propaganda, Roman and Greek reports of child sacrifice there now have been confirmed by archeological evidence. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2014-01-23-ancient-carthaginians-really-did-sacrifice-their-children