Archaeological work has also discovered a mound containing mass burials. While the extent of it is debated, it appears the Mississippians may have conducted ritual human sacrifices, judging by what appears to be hundreds of people, mostly young women, buried in these mass graves. Some were likely strangled; others possibly died of bloodletting. Four men were found with their heads and hands cut off; another burial pit had mostly males who had been clubbed to death.
This sort of thing tends to seriously annoy the neighbors. Sometimes, they band together and kill the perpetrators.
Go figure.
“...may have conducted ritual human sacrifices...”
“Hear the High Priest - the Gods are angry and have withheld us food. They require a suitable sacrifice!”
And sure enough, kill off a thousand people, and everyone now has more food!