Yes - virgins were sacrified to volcanos.

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

This is a short response in regard to SD’s response on the subject of human sacrifices by means of an active volcano, particularly of virgins.

“My query concerns the common conception of primitive cultures sacrificing virgins by throwing them into the maw of an active volcano. Many people seem to think this actually happened, but I can’t find even one reliable report of human sacrifice this way.”

I’m readdressing this response from SD on the grounds that they did not respond adequately. Furthermore, it seems Cecil’s response is contradictory:

“As with so many popular beliefs, the answer boils down to: (1) this story is mostly Hollywood BS, but (2) not 100 percent.”

followed later by,

"Virgins have been sacrificed on, if not in, volcanoes. I’ll go out on a limb and say this is 100 percent true. "

So what is it - mostly Hollywood BS, or 100% true?
Because that is a fine contradiction if I ever read one.
After looking around, it seems there is plenty of noteworthy sources that would insist young children and particularly females were sacrificed to volcanoes.

“In the days before the arrival of Columbus, the Masaya Volcano was worshiped by the local people as they viewed any activity of the volcano as signs of displeasure from their gods. They would then head up the volcano with sacrifices, which often included young maidens and small children, to try and please the gods.”

Another popular example is Mummy Juanita of Mt. Ampato.

Although there is nothing to indicate having been a virgin, its a well known example of a preserved female sacrifice to a volcanic site.
Honestly, this has to be the first time I was disappointed in the response from Straight Dope.

I’m also slightly embarrassed for the individual that asked this question.
Of course people have been sacrificed to volcanoes.

:smack:

2

After titling your post "Yes - virgins were sacrified to volcanos., you proceed to give links that seem to indicate that it is still unknown whether your statement is true.
:smack: right back atcha.

3

For arguments sake, lets just say all of the children found in the history of volcanic sacrifices were already de-virginized.
These ages of course range roughly anywhere from six years old and above, with an emphasis on female children.

Well, you’re right! I don’t have citation for conclusive proof - but then again, the worship of purity regarding ones sexuality (and lack of experience in) is a global phenomenon that has been documented in every corner of the world.

Regardless, I believe I’ve addressed the issue more appropriately then the original reply.

I also have yet to see a response on the contradictory statements.

4

As if people need more of an incentive to lose their virginity!

5

It should also be noted that “virgin blood” is considered sacred by many cultures.

Hell, even Bathory was bathing in it - and this was before AIDS!

6

And you expect us to simply take their word that they were virgins?

7

For silly nitpickings sake, lets just say that when people usually refer to virgins being sacrificed they aren’t talking about virgin children.

8

For Czarcasms stubborn sake, lets just say that children having sex is not a restricted past time, and depending on region and timeline - yes, a child may very well be fair game to label a virgin.
Men were taking 10 year old wives not more then a few hundred years ago, and this was to ensure they were virgins.

Or, are 10 year olds not “child” enough for you?

9

The tale of Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed bathing in the blood of virgins was first told long after her death, and is pretty unreliable.

10

Why the OP should feel embarrassment for the original questioner is a mystery to me. It seems like a perfectly reasonable question.

11

Because they asked this question in 2013, not 1985.

10 minutes of Google will provide safe sources noting volcanic sacrifices.

12

So, in other words, Cecil was completely right? Why start a thread to just repeat what he already said?

In case it’s not clear, what he said was that humans were definitely sacrificed to volcano gods, but that the idea of performing the sacrifice by tossing them in was a Hollywood invention.

13

And it is still unknown as to whether their being virgins was ever a requirement.

14

I don’t see what the contradiction is. The question was: “have any virgins anywhere ever been tossed into a live volcano to appease an irate god?”.

Incan sacrificial mummies that have been found, such as the children of Llullaillaco or Plomo mummy, were not tossed into the volcano. The method of death for such sacrificial children, as part of the qhapaq hucha rite, was, according to Wikipedia, “strangulation, a blow to the head, suffocation, or being buried alive while unconscious”. They were also not tossed in the volcano post mortem, since the corpses survive to this day.

15

I’m sure if you can speak English so well, you can also do a better job at reading it.

Actually, thats just what you picked up from your own interpretation.

There is nothing in that response to sound that he was implying just that.
Please show me what I am missing. Feel free to quote.

16

The contradiction was not regarding the question at hand - please read my first post again.

You’re citing irrelevant cases that do not pertain to volcanic sacrifices.

17

You cited a tall tale about Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed, and something vague about virgin blood being sacred in “many cultures”, and neither of those have anything to do with virgin sacrifices to volcanoes.

18

Llullaillaco is a potentially active stratovolcano, with reports of eruptions in 1854, 1868, and 1877, although it’s true that qhapaq hucha sacrifices were also made at religiously significant high-elevation locations that were non-volcanic.

19

Virginity is considered sacred by many groups from all over Earth.
If I spent an hour or two I could compile a fine list of its documentation from all over, but really - I do not want to do that.

Bathory was a tongue-in-cheek defense, if you could not tell.
However, on a serious note, why would, of all things, virgins blood… become the root of that tale, rather then just regular blood?

Because, whether it is true or not - many outdated cultures placed great sacred meaning to virginity, as it remains an undeniable form of purity/being untouched.

20

That’s nice. Now can you provide any cites that back up the statement of fact you made at the beginning of this thread…something more than “Well, women and children were sacrificed, and there’s a good chance some of them were virgins, right?”