Egypt - Sacrifice

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 alter. 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 the Anemosphilia

Note the “temple” building

The feet of what may have been a cult statue in the “Temple” building of

Anemosphilia

The skeleton of an 18 year old male found at Anemosphilia on an “alter-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 Anemosphilia

It was decorated with an incised representation of a boar’s head