Human sacrifice is not just a thing of the past. In some remote parts of South America, the ritual killing of men, women and children is taking place today. This book reveals and explores where, how and why this ancient practice persists.
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From Publishers Weekly:
The 1954 discovery and subsequent autopsy of a 500-year-old mummified Inca boy, victim of human sacrifice, inspired this archeological, anthropological detective story by Omni and Discovery writer Tierney. His research into the origins of human sacrifice involve encounters among the Incas of the high Andes where priests and witches still conduct sacrificial killings combining Christian and ancient pagan rites, both of which are usually accompanied by heavy consumption of alcohol. Described in detail are methods of victim selection, execution and reasons for these acts--which include deification of the victim, propitiation of gods and of natural forces. Tierney's analysis of the complex evolution of attitudes toward human sacrifice from the actual to the symbolic, e.g., from Crucifixion of Christ to Eucharist, is treated summarily as little more than an addendum to his firsthand accounts of his Andean adventures. Photos not seen by PW. 20,000 first printing.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherBloomsbury
- Publication date1989
- ISBN 10 0747504989
- ISBN 13 9780747504986
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
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Rating