Research Synopsis: Aztec Cannibalism

The mysteries of Mesoamerican culture are still veiled in little more than speculation.  The rituals, practices, norms, and beliefs of the ancient Aztec world are still being discovered and theorized.  One thing on which scholars agree is that Aztecs practiced cannibalism.  There is still speculation as to how widespread this practice was in pre-Columbian America.

Though there are still remaining, isolated, groups who practice necro-cannibalism (eating of the dead), it is globally accepted as a taboo practice.  Homicidal cannibalism (killing of a human for food) is believed to be extinct.

The origins of the practice of cannibalism in the Aztecs, is again, shrouded in mystery.  There have been several theories of how and why Aztecs would eat the flesh of a fellow human.  In the religious practices of the Aztecs, human sacrifice was commonplace.  Human sacrifice was seen as a necessity to the continuity of life.  The Aztec people regularly took part in autosacrifice, child-sacrifice, warrior sacrifice, self-mutilation, and bloodletting.  Human sacrifices were generally self-volunteers as it was perceived an honor to sacrifice one’s self for the benefit of the community.

Religion in the Aztecs was built on a hierarchy much like the Catholic Church of today.  There was a leader (such as the Pope) and several bishops, priests and so-on.  The Aztecs had no separation of church and state, religion was very much a part of their everyday life.  From agriculture to war, the Aztecs held a god responsible for nearly every aspect of life.

The Aztecs were meticulous in their record-keeping and calendars.  Today, we are left with a clear record of Aztec rituals and practices.  While cannibalism is widely accepted as a common practice among Aztecs, there is little record as to why, how, or who was eaten.