Origins of Religion Pre-history: the time prior to written records. BCE: Before Common Era – replacing BC (Before Christ) CE: Common Era – replacing AD (Anno Domini)

Evidence from Pre-History Mesopotamia: and ancient country in Asia located between the Tigris and Euphrates river (modern day Baghdad and Iraq) before 3000BCE. Archeologists have found bits and pieces of human tools, weapons, dwellings, and artifacts.

Evidence of Early Religious Practices First type of people = homo habilis (approx. 2 million years ago) Modern humans appeared approx. 50,000 years ago. Stood 5 feet tall. These people was primarily hunters.

Early evidence of religious practices Caves: skulls arranged in patterns Symbols: discovery of carved figures and representations of the survival of the tribe/clan. Burials: Buried carefully with ritual characteristics.

Religion at the End of the Pre- Historic Era Date: 10,000 – 5,000 BCE These people worshipped powers, forces, and deities that operate in the sky, that fertilize the earth, and roam the spirit world.

Religion Among Pre-Historic Ancestors The primary concern was survival Three main things threatened their survival - forces of nature - scarcity of food - experiences of death

Common Elements of Pre-Scientific Religions - concern for survival - spirit forces - magic - sacrifice - prayer - totems - leaders - a special place of worship

Timeline of Canadian First Nations 30,000 BCE – Native Peoples begin to inhabit North America 10,000 BCE – the first use of sharpened weapons for hunting 9,000 BCE – mastodons and mammoths become extinct 5,000 BCE – Native along the east coast build burial mounds

1,000 BCE – Chiefdoms are established in Ontario 500 BCE – Trade relations are established between Southern Ontario and the Atlantic region 250 CE – Natives begin using bow and arrow for hunting 500 CE – Horticulture established in Southern Ontario 1000 CE – Viking settlements in Newfoundland

1300 CE – Iroquoian societies develop village settlements 1450 CE – Formation of the Iroquois Confederacy 1497 CE – John Cabot landed in North America 1840 CE – the first residential schools are established 1996 CE – the last residential schools are closed