it suggests that the practice was endemic to the region (the carthaginians were originally from modern day lebanon), rather than any specific ethnic group, and that the story in the bible may have been a parable to try and change existing behaviours.
what is the bible? it's a justification for the existence of the jewish elite. it's meant to help primitive people come to terms with basic issues of social order. and, there is evidence that child sacrifice was actually a thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK-I53nESw4