Skip to content
The Atlantic
Popular
Latest
Sections
Sections
Politics
Culture
Technology
Ideas
Science
Books
Family
Business
Global
Health
Education
Letters
The Masthead
Our Towns
Photo
Podcasts
The Atlantic Crossword
Video
Events
Writers
Projects
Magazine
Magazine
Current issue
All issues
Manage subscription
Give a Gift
Subscribe
Subscribe
Sign In
My account
Search
Search
Quick Links
Dear Therapist
Crossword Puzzle
Manage Subscription
Search The Atlantic
Quick Links
Dear Therapist
Crossword Puzzle
Manage Subscription
Laura Spinney
Laura Spinney is a writer based in France. Her work has appeared in
The Economist
,
The Guardian
, and
New Scientist
. She is the author of
Pale Rider
.
Historical Picture Archive / Corbis / Getty
Did Human Sacrifice Help People Form Complex Societies?
The debate over how well ritual killings maintained social order
Laura Spinney
Feb 27, 2018
