Aztec Cannibalism: An Ecological Necessity?: The Aztec diet was adequate in protein and cannibalism would not have contributed greatly.

Ortiz de Montellano, Bernard R.

doi:10.1126/science.200.4342.611

Cited by 95Archaeology and ancient environmental studiesLatin American history and cultureHistorical Studies in Central America

Aztec Cannibalism: An Ecological Necessity?: The Aztec diet was adequate in protein and cannibalism would not have contributed greatly.

Ortiz de Montellano, Bernard R.·1978·Science

DOI 10.1126/science.200.4342.611

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

It has been proposed that Aztec human sacrifice and cannibalism can best be explained as a response to population pressure and famine. The greatest amount of cannibalism, however, coincided with times of harvest, not with periods of scarcity, and is better explained as a thanksgiving. Tenochtitlan received large quantities of food tribute and engaged in intensive ( chinampa ) agriculture. These two sources alone would have provided enough to feed practically the entire population of the city. The Aztecs also consumed various animals and insects that were good protein sources. The amount of protein available from human sacrifice would not have made a significant contribution to the diet. Cannibalism was not motivated by starvation but by a belief that this was a way to commune with the gods.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.200.4342.611

Cites

27 of 27 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Despite the rich ethnographic record of Aztec ritualized human sacrifices in Central America, no osteological evidence of cannibalism has been identified on the human remains associated with these sacrifices.
“However, despite the rich ethnographic record of Aztec ritualized human sacrifices in Central America documented throughout representations and codices (Burhenn, 2004;Ortiz de Montellano, 1978;Read, 1998;Sahagún, 1950Sahagún, -1982)), no osteological evidence of cannibalism has been identified on the human remains associated with these sacrifices.”
From The Archaeology of Cannibalism: a Review of the Taphonomic Traits Associated with Survival and Ritualistic Cannibalism (2025) · cites this paper as Ortiz de Montellano, 1978

Traditional Maize Processing Techniques in the New World
Katz, S. H., Hediger, M. L., & Valleroy, L. A. (1974) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.184.4138.765 · Cited by 332 · see citing works
Handbook of Middle American Indians
Wauchope, R. (1964) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 314 · see citing works
the ecological basis for Aztec sacrifice 1
Harner, M. J. (1977) · American Ethnologist · doi:10.1525/ae.1977.4.1.02a00070 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Gardens on Swamps
Armillas, P. (1971) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.174.4010.653 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Settlement Pattern and Chinampa Agriculture at Tenochtitlan
Calnek, E. E. (1972) · American Antiquity · doi:10.2307/278892 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico
Cowgill, G. L., León‐Portilla, M., Ángel María Garibay, K., & Kemp, L. (1963) · Journal of American Folklore · doi:10.2307/537939 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Human milk, nutrition, and the world resource crisis
Jelliffe, D. B., & Jelliffe, E. F. P. (1975) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.804719 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
The Requirements of Human Nutrition
Scrimshaw, N. S., & Young, V. R. (1976) · Scientific American · doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0976-50 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
World Food: A Perspective
Poleman, T. T. (1975) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.188.4188.510 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
The Evolution of Weights and Measures in New Spain
Stampa, M. C. (1949) · Hispanic American Historical Review · doi:10.1215/00182168-29.1.2 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Nutritional value of some edible leaves used in Mozambique
Oliveira, J. S., & Carvalho, M. F. D. (1975) · Economic Botany · doi:10.1007/bf02873175 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Nutritive Value of the Mexican Tortilla
Cravioto, R. O., Anderson, R. K., LOCKHART, E. E., Miranda, F. D. P., & Harris, R. S. (1945) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.102.2639.91 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Cinampas of Mexico
Coe, M. D. (1964) · Scientific American · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Colección de documentos para la historia de México
Icazbalceta, J. G. (1971) · Editorial Porrúa eBooks · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Composition of Typical Mexican Foods
René Cravioto, B., LOCKHART, E. E., Anderson, R. K., Miranda, F. D. P., Harris, R. S., Aguilar, E., Tapia, E. W., Lockhart, H. S., Nutter, M. K., & GUILD, L. P. (1945) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1093/jn/29.5.317 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
The Ancient American Civilizations
Faron, L. C., Katz, F., & Simpson, K. M. L. (1973) · Hispanic American Historical Review · doi:10.1215/00182168-53.3.529 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Flesh of the Gods
Lieber, M. D., & Furst, P. T. (1973) · Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion · doi:10.2307/1385058 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Price Trends of Some Basic Commodities in Central Mexico, 1531-1570.
Spooner, F. C., Borah, W., & Cook, S. F. (1959) · The Economic History Review · doi:10.2307/2599312 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Does New Guinea cannibalism have nutritional value?
Dornstreich, M. D., & Morren, G. E. B. (1974) · Human Ecology · doi:10.1007/bf01507342 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Amaranth: A Comeback for the Food of the Aztecs?
Marx, J. L. (1977) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.198.4312.40 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Dissimilation of 1,2-propanediol by rumen micro-organisms
Czerkawski, J. W., & Breckenridge, G. (1973) · British Journal Of Nutrition · doi:10.1079/bjn19730106 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
T<scp>he</scp> L<scp>imited</scp> N<scp>utritional</scp> V<scp>alue of</scp> C<scp>annibalism</scp>
Garn, S. M., & Block, W. D. (1970) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1970.72.1.02a00140 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Human Milk, Nutrition, and the World Resource Crisis
Jelliffe, D. B., & Jelliffe, E. F. P. (1975) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.188.4188.557 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Situación social y económica de los aztecas durante los siglos XV y XVI
Cabrera, E. C., & Katz, F. (1967) · Revista Mexicana de Sociología · doi:10.2307/3539011 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
O n the N utritional V alue of C annibalism
Vayda, A. P. (1970) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1970.72.6.02a00290 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
The Maize Tribute of Moctezuma's Empire
Anderson, E., & Barlow, R. H. (1943) · Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden · doi:10.2307/2394304 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Comment on “The Limited Nutritional Value of Cannibalism”
RANDALL, M. E. (1971) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1971.73.1.02a00260 · Cited by 4 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Sorted by citations

The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme
Gould, S. J., & Lewontin, R. C. (1979) · Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.1979.0086 · Cited by 7,770 · see citing works
The Emotional Construction of Morals
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.001.0001 · Cited by 784 · see citing works
Exaptation: A Crucial Tool for an Evolutionary Psychology
Gould, S. J. (1991) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1991.tb01822.x · Cited by 523 · see citing works
Conceptual Issues in Evolutionary Biology.
Fink, W. L., & Sober, E. R. (1984) · Systematic Zoology · doi:10.2307/2413098 · Cited by 433 · see citing works
Cannibalism, Warfare, and Drought in the Mesa Verde Region during the Twelfth Century A.D.
Billman, B. R., Lambert, P. M., & Leonard, B. L. (2000) · American Antiquity · doi:10.2307/2694812 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Untitled work
Lopez (2015) · doi:10.1016/bs.afnr.2015.06.002 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Aztecs: An Interpretation
Clendinnen, I. (1991) · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Aztec Archaeology and Ethnohistory
Berdan, F. F. (2014) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9781139017046 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Chemical Characterization of the Lipid Fraction of Mexican Chia Seed(Salvia hispanica L.)
Álvarez-Chávez, L. M., Valdivia-López, M. D. L. Á., Aburto-Juárez, M. D. L., & Tecante, A. (2008) · International Journal of Food Properties · doi:10.1080/10942910701622656 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Protein Deficiency and Tribal Warfare in Amazonia: New Data
Chagnon, N. A., & HAMES, R. B. (1979) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.570302 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Thinking About Cannibalism
Lindenbaum, S. (2004) · Annual Review of Anthropology · doi:10.1146/annurev.anthro.33.070203.143758 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Genetic diversity among varieties of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.)
Joseph, C. P. (2004) · Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution · doi:10.1023/b:gres.0000034583.20407.80 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Untitled work
(2017) · PubMed · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Nutrition and Politics in Prehistory
Danforth, M. E. (1999) · Annual Review of Anthropology · doi:10.1146/annurev.anthro.28.1.1 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
The Pastoral Niche in Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica
Parsons, J. R. (2009) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-0471-3_4 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Cultural Values and Human Ecology in Southeast Asia
Hutterer, K. L., Rambo, A. T., Rambo, A. T., Rambo, A. T., & Lovelace, G. (1985) · doi:10.3998/mpub.19463 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Population crash: prospects for famine in the twenty-first century
Schade, C., & Pimentel, D. (2009) · Environment Development and Sustainability · doi:10.1007/s10668-009-9192-5 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Leporid management and specialized food production at Teotihuacan: stable isotope data from cottontail and jackrabbit bone collagen
Somerville, A. D., Sugiyama, N., Manzanilla, L., & Schoeninger, M. J. (2016) · Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences · doi:10.1007/s12520-016-0420-2 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
A Simulation of the Sixteenth-Century Population Collapse in the Basin of Mexico
Whitmore, T. M. (1991) · Annals of the Association of American Geographers · doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.1991.tb01705.x · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Cosmic Jaws: We Eat the Gods and the Gods Eat Us
Carrasco, D. (1995) · Journal of the American Academy of Religion · doi:10.1093/jaarel/lxiii.3.429 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Meat, markets, and mechanical materialism: The great protein fiasco in anthropology
Diener, P., Moore, K., & Mutaw, R. J. (1980) · Dialectical Anthropology · doi:10.1007/bf00257766 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Genocidal Warfare in Tribal Societies as a Result of European-Induced Culture Conflict
Blick, J. P. (1988) · Man · doi:10.2307/2802598 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Cannibalism in the Prehistoric American Southwest. Occurrence, Taphonomy, Explanation, and Suggestions for Standardized World Definition.
TURNER, C. G. I., & TURNER, J. A. (1995) · Anthropological Science · doi:10.1537/ase.103.1 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Chromosome Number and Meiotic Behavior of Cultivated Chia, Salvia hispanica (Lamiaceae)
Estilai, A., Hashemi, A., & Truman, K. (1990) · HortScience · doi:10.21273/hortsci.25.12.1646 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Food in society and culture
Thomas, L. (1991) · Reviews in Anthropology · doi:10.1080/00988157.1991.9977937 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Human Sacrifice at Tenochtitlan
Ingham, J. M. (1984) · Comparative Studies in Society and History · doi:10.1017/s0010417500011051 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) as a novel forage and feed source: A review
Jamshidi, A. M., Amato, M., Ahmadi, A., Bochicchio, R., & Rossi, R. (2019) · Italian Journal of Agronomy · doi:10.4081/ija.2019.1297 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Cultural Values and Human Ecology in Southeast Asia
Ellen, R. F., Hutterer, K. L., Rambo, A. T., & Lovelace, G. (1987) · Man · doi:10.2307/2803005 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Dry heat popping of amaranth seed might damage some of its essential amino acids
Tovar-Gálvez, L. R., Brito, E., Takahashi, T., Miyazawa, T., soriano, J. A. P., & Fujimoto, K. (1989) · Plant Foods for Human Nutrition · doi:10.1007/bf01092066 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Contact Period Rural Overpopulation in the Basin of Mexico: Carrying-Capacity Models Tested with Documentary Data
WILLIAMS, B. J. (1989) · American Antiquity · doi:10.2307/280678 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
The Noneconomic Nature of Eating People
Garn, S. M. (1979) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1979.81.4.02a00100 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
<i>Kana Tamata</i> or Feasts of Men: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Identifying Cannibalism in Prehistoric Fiji
Jones, S., Walsh‐Haney, H., & Quinn, R. (2015) · International Journal of Osteoarchaeology · doi:10.1002/oa.2269 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Mass Murder or Religious Homicide? Rethinking Human Sacrifice and Interpersonal Violence in Aztec Society
Pennock, C. D. (2012) · White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) · doi:10.12759/hsr.37.2012.3.276-302 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Calendars and Ecosystem Management: Some Observations
Franco, F. M. (2015) · Human Ecology · doi:10.1007/s10745-015-9740-6 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Ethnozoology
Hunn, E. S. (2011) · Ethnobiology · doi:10.1002/9781118015872.ch6 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Beyond Santley and Rose (1979): The Role of Aquatic Resources in the Prehispanic Economy of the Basin of Mexico
Parsons, J. R. (2008) · Journal of Anthropological Research · doi:10.3998/jar.0521004.0064.303 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Aztec Human Sacrifice: Cross-Cultural Assessments of the Ecological Hypothesis
Winkelman, M. (1998) · Ethnology · doi:10.2307/3774017 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Counting Skulls: Comment on the Aztec Cannibalism Theory of Harner‐Harris
de Montellano, B. R. O. (1983) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1983.85.2.02a00130 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Tracing the evolutionary history of hepatitis B virus genotype H endemic to Mexico
José-Ábrego, A., Román, S., Laguna-Meraz, S., Pinho, J. R. R., Arévalo, S. J., & Panduro, A. (2023) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1180931 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Cold pressed chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed oil
Akinfenwa, A. O., Cheikhyoussef, A., Cheikhyoussef, N., & Hussein, A. A. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-818188-1.00015-3 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Conflict Theory
Oberschall, A. (2009) · Handbooks of sociology and social research · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-68930-2_10 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Political and Demographic-Ecological Determinants of Institutionalised Human Sacrifice
Winkelman, M. (2014) · Anthropological Forum · doi:10.1080/00664677.2014.860888 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The Archaeology of Cannibalism: a Review of the Taphonomic Traits Associated with Survival and Ritualistic Cannibalism
Bello, S. M. (2025) · Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory · doi:10.1007/s10816-024-09676-3 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“…rich ethnographic record of Aztec ritualized human sacrifices in Central America documented throughout representations and codices (Burhenn, 2004; Ortiz de Montellano, 1978; Read, 1998; Sahagún, 1950–1982), no osteological evidence of cannibalism has been identified on the human remains…”
Famine Vulnerability in the Contact-Era Basin of Mexico
Whitmore, T. M., & WILLIAMS, B. J. (1998) · Ancient Mesoamerica · doi:10.1017/s0956536100001863 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Maize based diets and possible neurobehavioural after-effects among some populations in the world
Ernandes, M., Guardia, M. L., & Giammanco, S. (1996) · Human Evolution · doi:10.1007/bf02456990 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Household lake exploitation and aquatic lifeways in postclassic Xaltocan, Mexico
Lucia, K. D. (2021) · Journal of Anthropological Archaeology · doi:10.1016/j.jaa.2021.101273 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
O canibalismo asteca: releitura e desdobramentos
Sáez, Ó. C. (2009) · Mana · doi:10.1590/s0104-93132009000100002 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Stable values and variable constraints; the sources of behavioral and cultural differences
Diamond, A. M. (1982) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/bf00382807 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Purple People Eaters?: A Comment on Aztec Elite Class Cannibalism à la Harris‐Harner
Castile, G. P. (1980) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1980.82.2.02a00170 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
34. Chia – not just a pet
Small, E. (2011) · Biodiversity · doi:10.1080/14888386.2011.575104 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Un sistema de equivalencias: el ritual del sacrificio en la cultura reche-mapuche de tiempos coloniales (siglos XVI y XVII)
Goicovich, F. (2018) · Historia · doi:10.4067/s0717-71942018000200423 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Evolution of ancient farming systems and demography in the volcanic highlands of Zacapu: A model drawn from Geoarchaeology and archaeogeography
Dorison, A., & Siebe, C. (2023) · Ancient Mesoamerica · doi:10.1017/s0956536122000013 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Don't Just Pet Your Chia
Hershey, D. R. (1995) · Science Activities · doi:10.1080/00368121.1995.10113179 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Reply to Paulsen and Isbell
Conrad, G. W. (1981) · American Antiquity · doi:10.2307/279984 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
A macroevolutionary perspective of cryptic coloration in sexually dichromatic grasshoppers of the genus Sphenarium (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)
Ramírez‐Delgado, V. H., Serrano‐Meneses, M. A., & del Castillo, R. C. (2025) · Oecologia · doi:10.1007/s00442-024-05643-7 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Decreasing variety of plant foods used in developing countries
Doughty, J. L. (1979) · Plant Foods for Human Nutrition · doi:10.1007/bf02590272 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
I believe; I can : the relationship between religiosity, general self-efficacy and locus of control
Byrne, P. F. (2012) · eSource (Dublin Business School) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Understanding Aztec Cannibalism
Burhenn, H. (2004) · Archive for the Psychology of Religion · doi:10.1163/0084672053598003 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
A Reevaluation of the Role of War Captives in the Aztec Empire
Martin, R. W. (2022) · Latin American Antiquity · doi:10.1017/laq.2022.69 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Amerindian cannibalism: practice and discursive strategy
Sicoli, F. M., & Tartabini, A. (1994) · Human Evolution · doi:10.1007/bf02437930 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Testing background matching and disruptive colouration in a sexually dichromatic grasshopper: a computer detection experiment
Ramírez‐Delgado, V. H., & del Castillo, R. C. (2023) · Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata · doi:10.1111/eea.13278 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Socio-anthropologie d'une transition protéique : comprendre la consommation des aliments protéiques d'origine animale à Delhi et Vadodara (Inde)
Fourat, E. (2015) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/4342bb36z95f5z4e97zb53ez77d1db2b3639 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The cannibalistic trade-off: Why human cannibalism emerges and why taboos suppress it
Misiak, M., & Tureček, P. (2026) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2605120123 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Cross-Cultural Cannibalism Throughout Human History
Cochran, M. (2012) · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The Genealogy of Morals
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0006 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Intractable Pernicious Practices in West Africa
Omasanjuwa, A. (2018) · Ethnologia Actualis · doi:10.2478/eas-2018-0008 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Blood, War, and Ritual: Religious Ecology, ‘Strong’ Culture, and Human Sacrifice in the Premodern World
Acevedo, G. A., & Thompson, M. (2013) · Anthropological Forum · doi:10.1080/00664677.2013.805121 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Los sacrificios humanos y su relación con la dieta y el canibalismo azteca en el momento de la Conquista
Mercado, J. R. (2019) · Revista Española de Antropología Americana · doi:10.5209/reaa.63694 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Family Plots: Patterns of Neanderthal Violence and Body Manipulation
Sutton, M. Q. (2022) · Journal of Anthropology and Archaeology · doi:10.15640/jaa.v10n1a1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
A metaphor of primitivism: cannibals and cannibalism in French anthropological thought of the XIXth century
Boëtsch, G. (2004) · Estudios del hombre · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Caracterización y funcionalidad de subproductos de chía (Salvia hispanica L.)
Capitani, M. (2013) · doi:10.35537/10915/26984 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Understanding human sacrifice in Mesoamerica
Berdan, F. F. (1986) · Reviews in Anthropology · doi:10.1080/00988157.1986.9977757
Recent fiction by anthropologists about native Americans
Schmidt, N. J. (1981) · Reviews in Anthropology · doi:10.1080/00988157.1981.9977549
The Veil of Objectivity?
SUMMERSIDE, P. A. (1979) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1979.81.4.02a00110
On Measuring Adaptation
Christiansen, S. (1979) · American Anthropologist · doi:10.1525/aa.1979.81.4.02a00090
Preamble Naturalism and Hume's Law
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0015
Emotions: Non-moral and Moral
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0002
Dining with Cannibals
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0005
The Limits of Evolutionary Ethics
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0007
Living with Death
Pennock, C. D. (2008) · Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks · doi:10.1057/9780230582330_2
Cannibalism and Aztec human sacrifice
Zink, S. (2008) · Minds at UW (University of Wisconsin)
Review Essays
(1988) · Religious Studies Review · doi:10.1111/j.1748-0922.1988.tb00301.x
Sensibility Saved
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0003
Against Objectivity
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0004
Cannibalism
Watson, K. (2018) · doi:10.1093/obo/9780199730414-0307
Emotionism
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0001
Moral Progress
PRINZ, J. J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.003.0008
Preface
(2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.002.0005
Copyright Page
(2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.002.0003
Dedication
(2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199571543.002.0004
Structural Violence and Physical Death at Tlatelolco
Blevins, K. E., McGrane, M., Lory, J. M., Arroyo, S. G., & Buikstra, J. E. (2022) · Bioarchaeology International · doi:10.5744/bi.2022.0011
How Many Acres of Potatoes Does a Society Need? Using Food and Historical Claims in an Energy Context
Moore, N. (2025) · The Physics Teacher · doi:10.1119/5.0193574
Reassessing the Evidence for Aztec Cannibalism
Koziar, F. (2025) · Historical Archaeology · doi:10.1007/s41636-025-00586-z
Généalogies de la morale : perspectives nietzschéenne et darwinienne sur l'origine des comportements et des sentiments moraux
Sastre, P. (2011) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/1294017cz28d6z4b78z8112z99722d8737cd
Archéologie des systèmes agraires préhispaniques de la région de Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexique : VIIe - XVe siècle apr. J.-C.
Dorison, A. (2019) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/96892420z019az4cadza360z4d4df073c9a3

Authors: Ortiz de Montellano, B. R.
Affiliations: Associate professor of science and technology, University Studies/Weekend College, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202
Venue: Science
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published: 1978-05-12
Volume: 200
Issue: 4342
Pages: 611-617
ISSN: 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
1095-9203
DOI: 10.1126/science.200.4342.611
OpenAlex: W2099170804
Cited by: 95
References: 27
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 6.64
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Latin American history and culture
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Historical Studies in Central America
Keywords: human sacrifice, Aztecs, Tenochtitlan, harvest, famine, population pressure, protein sources, religious rituals

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Aztec Cannibalism: An Ecological Necessity?: The Aztec diet was adequate in protein and cannibalism would not have contributed greatly.

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks