Religion and Human Evolution

How far back does religion go? Elements of a tentative answer Identify the phases of hominisation. Examine varieties of archeological evidence for religion in different taxa. //

What constitutes evidence in the archeological record? Burial complexes Some practices imply belief in surviving souls Art work Some works imply spirits, rituals, or specialists Writings The only truly definitive proof for spirit-beliefs, rituals, or specialists

From ape to hominid: Family tree

Phases of human evolution Species Years Brain sz. Religion? Australo- pithecus 6 million 450 cc No evidence Homo habilis 2 million 600 cc erectus 1.6 million 850 cc Neander- thals 200,000 yrs. 1350 cc Maybe Cro-Magnon 45,000 yrs. 1600 cc Yes

Homo erectus skull Homo Erectus

Homo erectus the hunter

Acheulian hand axe

Homo erectus and fire

Neanderthal from Spain

Mousterian tools

Shanidar burial reconstructed

The Sorcerer: A cave painting that probably indicates the presence of specialists. 16