Human sacrifice was universal until the axial age when religion in Judea, China, India and philosophy in Greece produced humane beliefs that gradually took root. The Americas had no exposure to these beliefs and remained brutal until the conquest.
There was regression to human sacrifice in all regions: the sacrifice of the wife at the husbands funeral in India, the Thuggee cult in India, retainer sacrifice in Ming China, the inquisition in Europe, the hanging of witches in Salem. I doubt that the Roman games and slaughter of Christians for entertainment can be seen as anything other than human sacrifice. In fact, I would argue that Boco Haram killing Christians in Africa is today’s human sacrifice.
I'm in agreement.