Human sacrifice was extensively practiced throughout the prehispanic mesoamerican world. War captives and individuals picked to imitate a specific god for a religious ceremony made up the bulk of skulls put on display. War captives typically were forced to ascend a pyramid where the victims back would be stretched over a stone and a priest would thrust a flint blade into the abdomin to extract the heart for offering. Devote selectees went willingly to this fate. Festivals, ceremonies, and religious rites occupied much of daily Mexica life.

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