Aztec human sacrifice: cross-cultural assessments of the ecological hypothesis

Ethnology • Vol/Iss. 37 • Published In • Pages: 285-298 •
By Winkelman, Michael James

Abstract

This article explores ecological, religious, and social correlates of human sacrifice and cannibalism in a cross-cultural sample. Support is found for associations between human sacrifice and population density, population pressure, war for land and resources, and a low hierarchical focus of religion. Human sacrifice among Aztecs is given particular attention.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Amelia Piazza