Minoan Religion: Human and Animal Sacrifice

Map of Crete and the Aegean showing the location of Anemospilia.

Painted limestone sarcophagus from Agia Triada.

ca 1400 BC.

Detail of the Agia Triada Sarcophagus.

The trussed bull is shown being sacrificed at the altar. On the left, the priestess holds a bowl in a ritual gesture. At the center, a man layes the double flute. On the right are an attendant and various offerin

The Agia Triada Sarcophagus. On the right, the deceased, shown wearing a shroud and exiting the tomb, is greeted by a procession carrying offerings of livestock. In the center, a man plays the lyre. On the left, a priestess and her attendant poor libat

A scene from one of the short sides of the Agia Triada Sarcophagus. Two goddesses ride in a chariot pulled by a griffin.

The site of Anemospilia. Note the "temple" building.

The feet of what may have been a cult statue in the "Temple" building of Anemospilia.

The skeleton of an 18-year old male found at Anemospilia on an "altar-like structure" in the "temple building." On top of him was a bronze blade. His heels were so close to his tailbone, it is suspected that he was bound. From the burn patterns on the

Detail of the blade of the bronze "sacrificial dagger" that was found on top of the skeleton at Anemospilia. It is decorated with an incised representation of a boar's head.