Archaeologists cited in a CBS News report on the human sacrifice altar in Guatemala argued that the culture of sacrifice was not violent, adding that it was “connected to celestial bodies.”

The altars discovered in the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala, today are thought to have come from the modern Mexican Teotihuacan culture, indicating a distinct interaction between them and the Mayan culture. According to Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture and Sports.

“We see how the issue of sacrifice exists in both cultures. It was practice. It wasn’t that they were violent, it was a way of connecting with the heavenly bodies.” I said Outlet.

Lorena Pais, the leading archaeologist of the discovery, said the altar built on top of the structure was thought to have been used primarily for the sacrifice of children. (Related: Archaeologists find a cemetery of a “child vampire” filled with beheaded bodies)

“The bodies of three children under the age of four were found on three sides of the altar,” she told The Associated Press.

Some took the exception to Méndez’s non-violent framing.

“They were “non-violent, peaceful riots” and now they were “peaceful children’s sacrifices.” Which planet did these people come from? ” asked Mike Collins, a Republican Georgia Rep., at X.

The first was a “non-violent, peaceful riot,” and now it is a “peaceful child sacrifice.”

Which planet did these people come from? https://t.co/yzpaypwaqk pic.twitter.com/n4vukljj81

– Rep. Mike Collins (@RepmikeCollins) April 14, 2025

“I think that’s fine because they were connected to the ‘celestial bodies’,” tweeted Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger, adding, “‘When they slaughtered the kids, they weren’t violent.”

A Mayan altar was discovered, which was used for sacrifices “especially for children.” “It was practice. It wasn’t that they were violent, they were a way of connecting with the heavenly bodies.”

I think that’s fine. Since then… pic.twitter.com/nskr9v6qr2

– Larry Sanger (@lsanger) April 14, 2025