Phoenicians sacrificed infants

A new paper co-authored by Peter van Dommelen, the Joukowsky Family Professor of Archaeology and professor of anthropology, attempts to put to rest a long-standing mystery about infant bones found in Phoenician cemeteries in modern Tunisia and Italy. Experts have long been conflicted over whether the bones, found packed in urns and buried under tombstones, were the result of ritualistic sacrifices or simply carefully buried remains of children who died before or soon after birth. Van Dommelen's research, conducted with colleagues from several European institutions, concludes that the Phoenicians did kill their own infant children, burying them with sacrificed animals and ritual inscriptions in special cemeteries to give thanks for special favors from the gods. Published in the journal Antiquity, the researchers used the manner in which the remains were buried and the inscriptions on the tombstones as evidence that pointed toward the sacrifice rather than natural death. Additionally, although hundreds of remains were found, there were far too few to account for all of the stillbirths and infant deaths in that area, according to the study.

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I stilled a hungry infant’s cry

"I stilled a hungry infant’s cry
With kindness, filled a stranger’s cup.
And lifting others found that I
Was lifted up."
- Author Unknown

"I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,
the deeds for which He is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us –
yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses."
Isaiah 63:7

God, our Father,
 give that I always can emit kindness
and that I can help where help is needed.
Thank you for everything you have done for your people and for me.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Ik verstilde een hongerig kind het huilen