Examining heart extractions in ancient Mesoamerica: New findings on procedures and meanings of human heart sacrifices in Mesoamerica

EurekAlert! ^ | April 23, 2020 | University of Chicago Press Journals

[SunkenCiv]

Sacrificial rituals featuring human heart extraction were a prevalent religious practice throughout ancient Mesoamerican societies. Intended as a means of appeasing and honoring certain deities, sacrifices served as acts of power and intimidation as well as demonstrations of devotion and gratitude. Human sacrifices were highly structured, complex rituals performed by elite members of society, and the ceremonies included a myriad of procedures imbued with symbolic significance...

In the study, "Open Chests and Broken Hearts: Ritual Sequences and Meanings of Human Heart Sacrifice in Mesoamerica," published in Current Anthropology, Tiesler and Olivier conduct an anatomical analysis of skeletal evidence and compare it with systematically checked historical sources and over 200 instances of ceremonial heart extraction in codices. Focusing on the location of openings created in the chest to allow for the removal of a victim's heart and blood, the authors examine the resulting fractures and marks in articulated skeletons to infer about the nature of the entry wound and the potential instrumentation used...

Utilizing forensic data in conjunction with an analysis of ethnohistorical accounts, the authors detail three distinct heart extraction methods: cutting directly under the ribs (subdiaphragmatic thoracotomy); making an incision between two ribs (intercostal thoracotomy); or by horizontally severing the sternum in order to access the heart (transverse bilateral thoracotomy). While previous research indicates subdiaphragmatic thoracotomy was a common practice, Tiesler and Olivier expand upon the existing literature by providing reconstructions of intercostal thoracotomy and transverse bilateral thoracotomy.

[SunkenCiv]

Human deposit in rock shelter attached to Northern Acropolis exposed in situ. Credit: CINVESTAV Unidad Mérida

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

Figure 5. Ritual official holding a dripping heart, pierced with a large curved knife, Atetelco murals, Teotihuacan Courtesy of the authors, Tiesler and Olivier

[edwinland]

For anyone interested in this subject, I highly recommend Inga Clendinnen’s The Aztecs which is a meticulous account of Mexicn culture just before the conquest. One ponit she makes is how human sacrifice was performed by an elite class of priests but it the entire society took part on elaborate festival days where neighborhoods all received parts of bodies and divided them up to families who organized feasts around them.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I have a personal theory on that like my historic beheading theory. Ancient and medieval barbers weren’t very good. Their failures were all victims of really bad haircuts. For centuries barbers had a really powerful lobby to deflect and obscure any evidence of those transgressions.

[Verginius Rufus]

Everything was going along fine until some culturally-insensitive yahoos from Spain put an end to the practice.

[EinNYC]

Today, the descendants of these bloodthirsty fanatics continue to prey upon us; instead of cutting out our hearts, they go right for the wallet as they swarm over our border.

[Grimmy]

Today, the descendants of these bloodthirsty fanatics continue to prey upon us; instead of cutting out our hearts, they go right for the wallet as they swarm over our border.

***********

Oh they plan on cutting our hearts out too as soon as they get the chance.

Dig into La Raza.

[Deaf Smith]

Like The Barber of Seville?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Now that is probably the happiest, most pleasant and most upbeat article you’ve posted!

I can’t imagine researchers wanting to study that topic.

“Professor, I’ve got an idea for my thesis...’heart removal in mesoamerica’”

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

All barbers throughout history. Most weren’t drunk, just totally incompetent.

[Bob Ireland]

***Examining heart extractions in ancient Mesoamerica: New findings on procedures and meanings of human heart sacrifices in Mesoamerica***

Is this something I want to know? ...need to know?
Magua did this in the film Last of the Mohicans... Too gruesome for me, but for children???! Where is Tonto when you need him?

[neverevergiveup]

Wow. Gives new meaning to the phrase “you’ve stolen my heart”.

[Deaf Smith]

How many were infamous in a opera?

[SunkenCiv]

Yeah, it occurred to me right after I clicked "post". :^)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[Pelham]

[SunkenCiv]

I think you’re onto something!

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, they did the same thing in ancient Greece, that's why they had the Auricle of Delphi.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Once again the powerful barber’s lobby quashed all of that. They were more powerful than the Masons or Illuminati. At least by then barbers were able not to accidentally take out hearts anymore.