Human Sacrifice

Associated Documents (2)

Main AuthorPublished YearTitle
Winkelman, Michael JamesAztec human sacrifice: cross-cultural assessments of the ecological hypothesis
Watts, JosephRitual human sacrifice promoted and sustained the evolution of stratified societies

Associated Hypotheses (7)

Main AuthorHypothesis
Winkelman, Michael JamesPopulation density, population pressure, internal and external war for land and resources, and a low hierarchical focus of religion will be positively associated with human sacrifice (285, 294).
Watts, JosephHuman sacrifice can co-evolve with social stratification (the probability of change in social stratification and the presence/absence of human sacrifice are interdependent) [First Analysis] (229).
Watts, JosephWhen human sacrifice is present, moderate and highly stratified cultures are less likely to decrease in degree of stratification (229).
Watts, JosephWhen human sacrifice is present, egalitarian cultures are more likely to gain social stratification (229).
Watts, JosephHuman sacrifice can co-evolve with social stratification (the probability of change in social stratification and the presence/absence of human sacrifice are interdependent) [Second Analysis] (229).
Watts, JosephWhen human sacrifice is present, egalitarian and moderately stratified societies are more likely to become highly stratified.
Watts, JosephWhen human sacrifice is present, highly stratified societies are less likely to become less stratified (229).

Associated OCMs

  1. prayers and sacrifices