Final answer:
In ancient times, items such as coins in Greek mythology, and amulets in Egyptian customs, were placed with the deceased, sometimes under the tongue, to assist in the afterlife journey or for ritual purposes. The Maya also had rituals involving blood, which was considered the force of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In various ancient cultures, it was common to place items under or in the mouths of the deceased as part of burial rituals. The items placed under a dead person's tongue or in their mouth were often believed to be of use in the afterlife, to protect the spirit, or to pay a toll for safe passage to the underworld. For example, in ancient Greek mythology, a coin would be placed under the tongue of a deceased person to pay Charon, the ferryman of Hades, for a ride across the River Styx. Similarly, the ancient Egyptians often included amulets and other grave goods with their mummified dead to ensure safe passage and help in the afterlife. Among the Maya, royal bloodletting rituals have been documented, indicating a belief that blood was the force of life, and various forms of sacrifices were ways to communicate or repay debts to the gods.