REL 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Homo Heidelbergensis, Fetal Position, Grave Goods
Document Summary
No limits to the evidence to religion: as far back as human life goes, there is most likely evidence of religion. Site in spain that has burial evidence of homo heidelbergensis from about 500,000 bce: remote and in accessible places, were left with items. ~10,000 bce neolithic revolution: development of agriculture, permanent settlements, at this point, certain types of evidence pointing to religion have taken an interest in cosmic cycles. They understood that the movement of the celestial bodies affect the earth i. e seasons, storms e. t. c. So maybe people become religious when they have to worry about agricultural/cosmic cycles. Typical features of ancient (pre-literate) religion: notion of three world. Point of intersection between the forces of the sky and underworld. Sometimes these forces conflict on earth and humans must align themselves to survive. Place where the deceased go: sacred places. Particular places on earth where humans can contact spiritual forces: burial practices.
