Study Reveals Human Blood Used in Construction of Royal Palace in Benin

A recent study published in the journal Proteomics confirms that one of the 12 Royal Palaces of Abomey in Benin, West Africa, was built using human blood obtained through sacrifices during the Kingdom of Dahomey (1600-1904).

The palace in question was constructed during the reign of King Ghezo, who ruled from 1818 to 1858. Known for his military prowess and brutal violence, Ghezo's reign was marked by numerous conflicts and the use of human sacrifice in various rituals.

Why this matters: This study sheds light on the dark history of human sacrifice and its intersection with power and religion, providing a unique glimpse into the cultural practices of the Kingdom of Dahomey. The findings have broader implications for our understanding of the complexities of human societies and the consequences of violent cultural practices.

Researchers analyzed the remains of Ghezo's palace and found evidence of human blood in the mortar used to construct the funerary huts. High-resolution tandem mass spectrometry revealed the presence of hemoglobin and immunoglobulins from both humans and chickens in the mortar.

The study suggests that the blood of 41 human sacrifice victims was used in the construction of the tomb. This number is considered sacred in voodoo culture, which played a central role in the kingdom's religious practices. The victims were likely prisoners of war or enslaved people.

King Ghezo's palace was built in honor of his father, Adandozan, who ruled from 1797 to 1818. The palace's red walls were allegedly created using a mixture of red oil, lustral water, and human blood. The use of blood in the mortar was believed to symbolically protect the subtle essence of the deceased king.

The study's authors noted that the blood used in the mortar might have been obtained during the 'Great Customs' ritual, which involved the sacrifice of up to 500 victims upon the death of a Dahomey king. This ritual was intended to ensure the king's safe passage to the afterlife.

In voodoo culture, blood offerings combined with prayers and sacred water can be used to consecrate buildings or animate wooden structures known as fetishes. The researchers stated, 'Notably, a barrier between the human world and the place where the body is laid (or the spirit of the deceased) can be magically delineated. This separator is part of a supernatural border, since metaphysical elements are incorporated into the physical wall.'

The analysis also detected traces of wheat in the mortar, which was not grown in sub-Saharan Africa during King Ghezo's time. This suggests that wheat may have been introduced to Benin through diplomatic gifts from France. King Ghezo was known to send gifts to France and may have received wheat and other goods in return.

While the study confirms the use of human blood in the construction of the palace, the exact number of individuals whose blood was used remains unclear. Further DNA analysis might help to identify the precise number of victims and provide more insights into this historical practice.

This study sheds light on the complex and often brutal history of the Kingdom of Dahomey, highlighting the intersection of power, religion, and violence in its cultural practices.

Key Takeaways

• Palace in Benin, West Africa, built using human blood from sacrifices during Kingdom of Dahomey (1600-1904).
• King Ghezo's palace (1818-1858) used blood of 41 human sacrifice victims, a sacred number in voodoo culture.
• Blood was mixed with red oil and lustral water to create red walls, symbolizing protection of the deceased king's essence.
• Human blood was obtained through 'Great Customs' ritual, involving up to 500 victims, to ensure king's safe passage to afterlife.
• Study confirms dark history of human sacrifice, shedding light on power, religion, and violence in Kingdom of Dahomey's cultural practices.