It is known that the societies of Mesoamerica practiced human sacrifice. This article discusses the reasons why human sacrifice may have been practiced in Aztec society. Acts of cannibalism occurred during these sacrificial rituals and it will be discussed whether this was purely for ritual purposes, a lack of essential nutrients, such as protein, overpopulation, or periods of drought and famine. Information on whether the products grown were sufficient to ensure a balanced diet will also be discussed. It is possible that the lack of essential nutrients such as protein encouraged the Aztecs to practice sacrificial rituals involving cannibalism. By examining the available information, we will conclude what influences, if any, might have encouraged human sacrifice. The Aztec Empire was a complex civilization that practiced agriculture, imposed a hierarchical system, and practiced cultural events involving religion, various gods, and rituals. Agriculture in the Aztec Empire was complex and required knowledge of flora, agricultural techniques, and the local environment. The process was “more elaborate than simply throwing a few seeds on the ground and waiting for a stem to sprout” (Blanton, Kowalewski, Feinman, Finsten, 1993); it was essential to produce enough food to feed an entire population. The most important and common crop was maize, also known as maize, which could be manipulated in a variety of ways to produce products with varying tastes and textures; tortillas, tamales, atole and corn grits to name a few (Zizumbo-Villarreal, 2010). Corn was an ideal grain to preserve, not only did it provide nutrients to its consumers, but it could be eaten raw or stored for months without spoiling. The Aztec diet also included beans, squash, musk...... middle of paper ...with the gods. When droughts occurred, the lack of water meant that crops and other water-dependent flora suffered and withered, leaving the people dependent on those crops facing starvation. Facing famine could have prompted the Aztecs to ask the gods for help in the form of sacrificial rituals in order to end the drought or receive rain. In the process of sacrificing individuals and facing starvation, people might have begun to practice cannibalism in an attempt to satisfy protein shortages present in times when the normal diet was not available. I concluded that Aztec human sacrifice was the result of events that led to extreme behavior. Failed harvests could have led to increased sacrifices to please the gods, which meant more bodies and opportunities for the Aztecs to consume human flesh to fill their temporary nutrient shortage..