Ancient Human Sacrifice Had Gruesome Role in Creating Hierarchies

A new study shows that in societies where social hierarchies were taking shape, ritual human sacrifices targeted poor people, helping the powerful control the lower classes and keep them in their place. "By using human sacrifice to punish taboo violations, demoralize the underclass and instill fear of social elites, power elites were able to maintain and build social control," study lead author Joseph Watts said in a statement. Evidence also hints that the practice was widespread, Watts told Liv