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Human Sacrifice

Archaeological Perspectives from around the World

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2019

Laerke Recht
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge

Summary

Sacrifice is not simply an expression of religious beliefs. Its highly symbolic nature lends itself to various kinds of manipulation by those carrying it out, who may use the ritual in maintaining and negotiating power and identity in carefully staged 'performances'. This Element will examine some of the many different types of sacrifice and ritual killing of human beings through history, from Bronze Age China and the Near East to Mesoamerica to Northern Europe. The focus is on the archaeology of human sacrifice, but where available, textual and iconographic sources provide valuable complements to the interpretation of the material.
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Online ISBN: 9781108610322
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 20 December 2018

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Human Sacrifice
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Human Sacrifice
  • Laerke Recht, University of Cambridge
  • Online ISBN: 9781108610322
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