Was the Newark Octagon Mound the Place for Ritual Sacrifice?

There are many similarities with the religion of the historic Natchez and the anient mound builders in the Ohio Valley. The Natchez performed ritual human sacrifice upon the death of a Sun. When a male Sun died, his wives were expected to accompany him by performing ritual sacrifice. Pictured above are 8 people who are being sacrificed at the death of the Natchez Sun King. The number reoccurs within the earthworks in the Ohio Valley.  Were these places of sacrifice of the Sun King?

Were subjects sacrificed at the 8 gateways of the Newark Ceremonial Center at the death of the Sun King?

Prehistoric America, Stephen Peet, 1903

First, let us consider the traditions of the Indian tribes as to their migrations.
1. The Cherokee were a tribe situated, at the opening of history, among the mountains of East Tennessee and perhaps as far east as North Carolina. There is a common tradition that the Cherokee were at one time in the Ohio Valley.
2.) The Dakotas; this tribe or stock was, at the opening of history located west of the Mississippi River, in the State that bears their name.  The Dakotas have a traditon they they were once on the Ohio River, and that they migrated from their to the west.
3.) The Natchez were a tribe formerly situated near the city of Natchez.  They were sun-worshippers.  It is supposed by some that the Natchez built the sun temples in Ohio, but they changed their methods and adopted the pyramid as their typical work afterwards.
4.0 The Tetons, a branch of the Dakotas, were probably once in the region, though their home was afterward in the northern part of Georgia.

May 1st Beltane Solar Alignments at Mounds State Park Henge, The Newark Henge, and the Alligator Mound

May 1st Beltane Solar Alignments at Mounds State Park Henge, The Newark Henge, and the Alligator Mound

At Beltane, on May 1st, it was the time of mating and of the passing of the livestock through the two Beltane fires for purification.his festival is also known as Beltane, the Celtic May Day. It officially begins at moonrise on May Day Eve and marks the beginning of the third quarter or second half of the ancient Celtic year.

 It marked the beginning of summer. Special fires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people would walk around the bonfire or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. Household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. It officially begins at moonrise on May Day Eve, and marks the beginning of the third quarter or second half of the ancient Celtic year.