Sacrifice In Aztec Society

It is known that societies in Mesoamerica practiced human sacrifice. This paper discusses the reasons why human sacrifice may have been practiced in Aztec society. Acts of cannibalism occurred during these sacrificial rituals and it will be discussed whether this was purely for ritual purposes, lack of essential nutrients, such as protein, overpopulation, or periods of drought and famine. Information on whether cultivated goods were enough to provide a balance diet will also be discussed. It is possible that lack of essential nutrients such as protein is what encouraged the Aztecs to practice rituals of sacrifice that involved cannibalism. By looking at available information a conclusion will be made on what influences, if any, may have encouraged human sacrifice.

The Aztec empire was a complex civilization that practiced agriculture, imposed a hierarchy system, and practiced cultural events involving religion, various gods, and rituals. Agriculture in the Aztec empire was complex, required knowledge of flora, farming techniques, and local environment. The process was “more elaborate than just throwing a few seeds on the ground and waiting for a stalk to sprout up” (Blanton, Kowalewski, Feinman, Finsten, 1993); it was essential to grow enough food to feed an entire population. The most important and common crop grown was maize, also known as corn, which could be manipulated in various ways to yield products of varying tastes and textures; tortillas, tamales, atole, and maize gruel to name a few (Zizumbo-Villarreal, 2010). Maize was an ideal grain to keep around, not only did it provide nutrients to its consumers, it could be eaten raw or stored for months without spoiling.

The Aztec diet also consisted of beans, squash, mus...

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...ith the gods. When droughts did occur, the lack of water meant crops and other water dependent flora suffered and withered, leaving people dependent on these crops to face starvation. Facing starvation could have encouraged the Aztecs to ask the gods for help in the form of sacrificial rituals in order to end the drought or receive rain. In the process of sacrificing individuals and facing starvation, people could have begun practicing cannibalism in an attempt to satisfy the protein shortages present during times when the normal diet was not available. I have concluded that Aztec human sacrifice is the result of events that led to extreme behaviors. Crop failures could have led to an increase in sacrifices to please the gods, which meant more bodies and opportunities for the Aztecs to consume human flesh to fulfill their temporary nutrient shortage.