Preparation: The victim, typically a captured warrior, slave, or criminal, was prepared for the ritual. They would be adorned with elaborate headdresses, jewelry, and ritual garments, transforming them into a sacred offering to the gods.
Procession: The victim, accompanied by priests, musicians, and a grand procession, would be led to the designated sacrificial site, often located on top of a pyramid or temple.
Ceremonial Dance: Before the sacrifice, the victim and the priests would engage in a ritual dance, sometimes accompanied by music and chanting. This dance symbolized the victim's journey to the afterlife.
Binding and Positioning: The victim was then secured onto the sacrificial stone, often using ropes or bands to restrain their arms, legs, and body. The positioning of the victim varied based on the deity to whom the sacrifice was offered.
Extraction of the Heart: The high priest would take a sharp obsidian knife and make an incision in the victim's chest, using the knife to cut through the ribs and reach the heart. The priest would then skillfully extract the heart, still beating, and offer it to the deity as a symbol of sustenance.
Ritual Disposal: After the heart extraction, the body of the victim was either thrown down the steps of the pyramid or disposed of in a ceremonial manner. The blood collected during the sacrifice was considered sacred and often smeared on the idols of the gods.
It's worth noting that not all human sacrifices were performed using this specific method. There were variations in sacrificial rituals based on the deity being honored, the significance of the occasion, and the specific social or political context.