Human Sacrifice: Archaeological Perspectives from around the World (Elements in Religion and Violence) - Softcover

Recht, Laerke

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108728200 ISBN 13: 9781108728201

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2018

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Book Description:

The highly symbolic nature of sacrifice lends itself to manipulation by those carrying it out to maintain power and identity in carefully staged 'performances'. This Element examines some of the types of sacrifice and ritual killing of human beings in Bronze Age China, the Near East, Mesoamerica and Northern Europe.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1108728200
• ISBN 13: 9781108728201
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144