Ancient Mayan spirit blood extraction

500 years ago in a remote temple in Guatemala, the Mayans allowed blood to flow after the ritual with a sharp arrowhead made from the stone casing for the purpose of giving life to the gods.

The custom of extracting blood for the ancient Mayan gods

According to Live Science, arrowheads were blood-stained in a temple in the archaeological site of Zacpeten in northern Guatemala that revealed a ritual of extracting the blood of ancient Mayans. They used a sharp arrowhead made of stone with a black bottle to cut the living tongue, earlobe or genitals of the living so that the blood spilled out, helping energize the gods.

Ancient Mayans extracted the blood to dedicate energy to the gods.(Artwork: Real History).

Researchers believe that subjects selected to extract blood can volunteer to participate and still survive the ritual. The Maya believed the blood flow was a gift to the gods."Scholars agree to extract blood for the purpose of energizing people for the gods , " Prudence Rice, a scientist at the University of Southern Illinois, USA, co-author studied, published in the Journal. Archeology on October 14.

Evidence of this rite comes from 108 arrowheads found on 5 areas in Petén, Guatemala. Weapons date from the 15th to the 18th centuries. When analyzing, scientists discovered the blood markings of various animals on 25 arrowheads, two of which had human blood stains.

Pointed arrowheads are made from stone casing found in the archaeological area of ​​Guatemala.(Photo: Nathan Meissner).

A bloody arrowhead lies in the old house in Zacpeten. The damage at its tip indicates that it was shot at the body, but scientists have not yet figured out why it appeared in the house.

In societies in Central America, the tradition of extracting blood plays an important role in belief and culture. Not only is it a tool for ruling elite to legitimize social and political status, it also makes sense for the development of a community. Blood-tipped arrowheads are used for hunting, survival and ritual execution.

"We know that the Mayans also participated in the blood extraction as part of the birth or maturity rite. This practice inscribed in the hearts of future generations and linked their life force to the ancestors" , Nathan Meissner, researcher at the Center for Archeology Research at the University of Southern Illinois, shared.

The jade stone ladle is used to extract blood.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons).

After stabbing or cutting into a piece of software on the body, blood falls down and catches fire. This is a ritual that represents the offering of divine blood through the rising smoke.Blood extraction is very common in ancient Mayan life . The ceremony takes place at every major event, including marriage, childbirth, and burial of dead people.

In addition to the stone arrowhead, other tools are also used to extract blood such as jade stones, blades, stingray spines, hemp or shark teeth.