I read an analysis of the binding of Isaac story which claimed it was intended to advocate the replacement of child sacrifice with animal sacrifice. I found the argument mostly convincing, but it's only valid if child sacrifice really was common during the time the story originated. I've also heard a number of other claims about child sacrifice during this time period: for example, that circumcision was intended as a replacement for it, that the Moabites and Ammonites are condemned in the Tanakh because they practiced it, and even that the Israelites themselves practiced it during the First Temple period.

I'm not sure how much to believe any of those things. What's the current historical view?