Monday, 13 February 2012

Human sacrifice in Ancient Egypt. Did it happen?

Did human sacrifice occur in Ancient Egypt? Some Egyptologists deny that ancient Egyptians practiced cannibalism, while others believe it did happen. 

George Reisener, the famous Egyptologist, says the early tombs of Abydos and Sakkara like the tombs of King Aha (c.3100 B.C.) and King Djer record human sacrifice. 

Reisener says the different architecture of the tombs suggested that the servants were buried alive with their tools and vessels. Reisener also believed that King Djer’s queen was buried alive along side her husband. He believes that in Abydos, there are at least 162 sacrificial tombs. 

A desert country like ancient Egypt suffered from terrible famines, and leaders believed human and animal sacrifices appeased the gods and limited the famines. One famous story, “Bride of the Nile,” recounts a ritual where the high priest chose the most beautiful maiden in the country and offered her to Hapi, the god of the Nile, to save the country from droughts and famines.

The Washington Times

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