The Aztecs carried out ritual human sacrifice at Tenochtitlan.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

6 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that the Aztecs carried out ritual human sacrifice at Tenochtitlan?

Yes. One reference source states that human sacrifices were conducted at dedicated temples atop large pyramids including at Tenochtitlan, with victims' chests cut open and hearts removed. Other items add supporting context such as human remains and a skull rack at the Aztec capital's sacred precinct, though they do not themselves identify the remains as sacrificial victims.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 6 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Evidence for · 6

Tenochtitlan

Get citation

Tenochtitlan. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenochtitlan

See more details

More for · 5

Aztec Sacrifice: How the Aztecs Kept Their Gods Happy - World History EncyclopediaFacebookYouTubeFacebook

Get citation

Aztec Sacrifice: How the Aztecs Kept Their Gods Happy - World History EncyclopediaFacebookYouTubeFacebook. (n.d.). worldhistory.org. https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Sacrifice/

Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Wikipedia

Get citation

Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Wikipedia. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice_in_Aztec_culture

Archaeology of Mexico City: new studies in the study of the history of the ancient Aztecs

2022

Get citation

Archaeology of Mexico City: new studies in the study of the history of the ancient Aztecs. (2022). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.31857/s0044748x0018054-8

Counting Skulls: Comment on the Aztec Cannibalism Theory of Harner‐Harris

1983

Get citation

Counting Skulls: Comment on the Aztec Cannibalism Theory of Harner‐Harris. (1983). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1525/aa.1983.85.2.02a00130

Aztec-Mexica Temple R of Tlatelolco

2024

Get citation

Moreiras, D. (2024). Aztec-Mexica Temple R of Tlatelolco. zenodo.org. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12573420

Receipt History

Anyone with this link can read the claim and its public receipt, including any personal information in that text. Open permanent receipt.

Check your own claim

Challenge the receipt

I have a source that contradicts this verdict I have a source that supports it No source: request a receipt review Requests are recorded for review. This does not start an automatic check or guarantee a response time.

Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.

This receipt is an automated verdict against our published method · not an opinion about any author or publication.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work