Sacrifice is an objectified communication to a supreme being, given in exchange of blessings or good fate. This was found to be done during the earliest times, even during the time of Cain and Abel. As one can remember, Abel offered a first born lamb to God as a sacrifice. But as time went by, the rites of sacrifice had become more bizarre.

The evidences of the ancient practice of human sacrifice were found in several countries and nations. It was found exercised in America, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Some parts in Ancient America, particularly the Incans, performed these rites commonly to their own offspring. They would choose their best offspring and had this child adorned. The child being sacrificed was aware of it and even brought his or her favorite toy with him at the burial. The parents believed that the child would be at peace and would have a better fate with the deity.

The retainer sacrifice was evidently done in some parts of Ancient Asia, like Egypt, India and China. The retainer sacrifice refers to the practice of human sacrifice in which the slaves, concubines, ministers or the wife of the dead would be buried with him so that they would continue to serve him in the next life.

Some ancient countries exercised the practice of human sacrifice not just because they want to please the gods or just because of their own benefit, but because of the belief that this would strengthen the infrastructure to be built. Also by doing so, they believed that this practice would have someone to guard the infrastructure. 

About 60,000 prisoners were sacrificed for the re-consecration of the Aztec’s “Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan.” It happened in 1487, during the feast of Tenochtitlan.

The famous nursery rhyme called “London Bridges has Fallen Down” is said to represent the traditional way of sacrificial offering – human sacrificing, which must be done to prevent the bridge from falling down. Historians and archaeologists have been the witnesses of this bizarre rite, although there were various explanations behind its performance. There were sacrificial bridge burials found in some parts of North America, Europe and Asia.

Japan was one of the countries that have been rumored to practice human sacrifice in relation to infrastructures. This form of sacrifice was referred to as “human pillars” or “hitobashira”. Human maidens and workers were the ones being sacrificed to become the human pillars. By doing so, the structure would become sturdier and protected against enemies. The bridges of Japan that have been rumored to make use of the human pillars are: Fukushima Bridge, Koshikawa Bridge and the Kintaikyou Bridge.