The Origins of Animal Sacrifice episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 13, 2026 · 9 MIN

The Origins of Animal Sacrifice

from ReligionForBreakfast · host ReligionForBreakfast

Animal sacrifice. It is one of humanity's oldest rituals. But how old? When did this ritual originate?Part 2: Ancient Greek Sacrifice: Why did they do it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuzOezP5ifI&lc=Ugx66NXtqNP2ZSZLWhx4AaABAgTwitter: @andrewmarkhenryFacebook: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfastAndrew's religious studies book recommendations: http://amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfastRIP Dr. Jonathan Z. Smith. This episode was filmed before I was made aware of his death on Dec. 30th, 2017. His death is a loss to the entire discipline of religious studies, and we are indebted to his scholarship. The video that almost made me faint. Don't watch if you can't handle it. Watch it if you want to experience one of the most widespread rituals in human history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwwKnkpB0rU&t=28sPhotograph attributions:Homolovi II ruins: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HOMOLOVI_II.jpgMachu Picchu: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:80_-_Machu_Picchu_-_Juin_2009_-_edit.2.jpgReindeer herd: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reindeer_Herd_on_Ikpek_Beach_(7726663570).jpgReconstruction of auroch hunt cave painting: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_reconstruction_of_the_aurochs_hunting_scene_in_the_mural..jpgFour horned altar: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Tel_Be%27er_Sheva%2C_Altar_01.jpgGreco Roman sacrifice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome#/media/File:Stockholm_-_Antikengalerie_Opferszene.jpgBibliographyWalter Burkert, Homo Necans: The Anthropology of Ancient Greek Sacrificial Ritual and Myth. See especially p. 14 for the discussion of the mammoth skulls. https://books.google.com/books?id=pNGOeAh1780C&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=27+mammoth+skulls+circle&source=bl&ots=e7qOlg-aJY&sig=LonvXzvdDt0x_GCEe6c-k3ZIsKg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWwL3ysprRAhXCWCYKHQDrBZcQ6AEIPDAF#v=onepage&q=27%20mammoth%20skulls%20circle&f=falseJonathan Z. Smith, "The Domesticated Sacrifice," in Relation Religion: Essays in the Study of Religion. For an extensive discussion of the lamb burial at Catalhoyuk, see N. Russell and B.S. During, "Worthy is the Lamb: A Double Burial at Neolithic Catalhoyuk," Paleorient, vol. 32/1, p. 73-84. The reconstruction of the burial that I show comes from page 79 and is by John Gordon Swogger. I claim that my use of the image falls under Fair Use. https://www.academia.edu/151744/Worthy_is_the_lamb_A_double_burial_at_Neolithic_%C3%87atalh%C3%B6y%C3%BCk_Turkey_Nerissa Russell, Social Zooarchaeology: Humans and Animals in Prehistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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