Why did early human societies practice violent human sacrifice?

Human sacrifice seems horrifying and costly. But there might be a reason so many early human societies practiced it.

Human sacrifice - Wikipedia

Ancient Cultures That Practiced Human Sacrifice, by The Mystery Writer

Digging Into the Shang Dynasty's Empire of Bones

Did Human Sacrifice Help People Form Complex Societies? - The Atlantic

Why Did Some Early Human Societies Practice Violent Human Sacrifice? – Brewminate: A Bold Blend of News and Ideas

Aztec Sacrifice - World History Encyclopedia

Gory Offerings to the Gods: Human Sacrifice Throughout History

Aztec Sacrifice by Mark Cartwright

Sacrifices humains - Human Sacrifice and the Rituals of War in Early China - Presses universitaires de Liège

There is no such thing as 'Human Sacrifice'”

Human sacrifice, Ancient Rituals & Practices

Unearthing Secrets of the History of Human Sacrifice – Brewminate: A Bold Blend of News and Ideas

A Brief Note on Human Sacrifice in Classical Mayan Culture – Welcome to Dr. Keren Wang's Personal Website

How Should We Understand Old Testament Human Sacrifice? - Word on Fire

Human sacrifice played a key role in shaping ancient societies