Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which animals were most commonly used in sacrifices in ancient Syria and Palestine?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Syrian and Palestinian religion
Sites important in Syrian and Palestinian religion.
In the context of ancient Syrian and Palestinian religion, domestic animals were the primary victims used in sacrifices. Specifically, cattle, sheep, and goats were the most commonly utilized animals for these religious offerings. In addition to these livestock, birds were also frequently sacrificed as part of the cultic practices.1
While these domestic animals formed the core of sacrificial rituals, there is also evidence of human sacrifice, though it appears to have been limited to situations of unusual extremity.1