Three possibly surprising ideas are more or less morphing from the boiling cauldron:

1.      Sacrifices*, human or otherwise, seem to be as universal and natural to prehistoric man as breathing.  This supported by all ancient sources.  (Ugarit, Byblos, China, India, Egypt, The Bible, The Torah, The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Odyssey, archeology... ) Sacrifices were  offered to

a.      mark special occasions

b.      bribe the Power(s) that be

c.      bring about a "blessing"**

d.      seek forgiveness (by scape - goating)

e.      to accompany the dead to where ever...

f.       other

2.      The value of the sacrifice served at least a dual purpose

a.      show the power(s) you were serious

b.      show onlookers you were serious

c.      show onlookers your affluence (as in conspicuous consumption)

d.      to check with yourself to make sure you were serious

3.      A human sacrifice did not necessarily increase the value of the sacrifice.

a.      A good milk cow could be more expensive than a slave or member of the household (especially children - about half lived for 5 years or more)

b.      The value of an item was up to barter.

4.      Blood sacrifices were special

a.      a living animal

b.      blood itself (especially your own blood)  For instance, the Huron (Wendat) Indians in what is now Canada:**

               "Even bloodletting had parallels among the Wendats, who believed that bloodletting had supernatural connections.   '...When we wish to have success in hunting...we cut and slash our bodies so that the blood runs down abundantly.'  The Wendats also connected the release of blood with healing.   Like Europeans, Wendats believed that blood had powerful associations with health, and their healers performed procedures to remove blood..." (page 82 bottom, 83)

5.      Sacrificing was such a natural part of the DNA that even universal catastrophe (flood, for instance) would not wipe it out.

                In the myth of Noah, the first thing he is said to have done after coming out on dry land was to offer a sacrifice.  At the sacrifice the "Lord of Heaven" made the promise never to destroy the earth with water.*** (Genesis 8:19 -9:13) (Some may question the existence of Noah and the actuality of the flood, but I have never heard anyone question that the first thing the sole survivor with his family would instinctively do is offer a sacrifice.     

               Many stories that could be mythical have much truth in them regardless if "You have the ear to hear..

              

 

*  Sacrifice:    (as in sacred) a gift, or return of property, to a higher (sacred) power.  Some believe(d) you were just returning what rightfully belonged to the power(s).

**  Seeman, Erick:  The Huron-Wendat Feast of the Dead (pages 82 and 83)

***  The Holy Bible (Genesis 8, 9)

 

Continuing Treasure Hunt

               Have added three books to my material:

Macoby, Hyam;   The Sacred Executioner;  Human Sacrifice and the Legacy of Guilt

Aldhouse-Green, Miranda:  Dying for the Gods

Selengut. Charles:  Sacred Fury;  Understanding Religious Violence

 

               Got to get to reading!!!