1. Evolution of Human Culture and Sexuality – A Hypothesis adapted from William Irwin Thompson

2. Sexuality & Human Culture ~ 4 million – 2 million years BC? Shift from estrus to menses during early evolution of “man” created the possibility for a change in behavior from “reproductive behavior” to “sexual behavior” ESTRUS: time during which a female is receptive to mating; ovulation (usually) follows mating estrus?menses? estrus?menses? Australopithicus? Habilus? Erectus?

3. Sexuality & Human Culture Mating in non-human species is a biologically programmed behavior with little or no real choice Various species have developed different, although somewhat limited behaviors associated with mating

4. Sexuality & Human Culture In most non-human primates male and females of the species do not really interact socially very much with each other Specific male-female interaction is mainly (but certainly not only) during estrus.

5. Sexuality & Human Culture ~ 4 million to 1 million years BC? Possibly a shift of humanoid primates from forest- dwelling creatures to savannah-dwelling creatures created conditions for a shift from estrus-based mating behavior to sexual-based mating behavior Females of humanoid, savannah-dwelling primates would have had much greater safety concerns than forest-dwelling primates – males are necessary for protection as well as fertilization Females who attracted (through sexual attraction?) the constant company of males would have been more successful at producing offspring who survived.

6. Sexuality & Human Culture ~ 1million to 20,000 years BC? Evidence that a “universal” female-focused (Earth- mother? women’s mysteries?) culture/religion existed as long as 50,000 years ago With the female being the focus of culture/religion, the female would “control” sexual behavior Shift from a scavenger-gatherer & hunter-gatherer to an agriculture-based culture coincides with a shift from female-centered to male-centered culture/religion

7. Sexuality & Human Culture ~ 7,000 to 3,000 years BC? Development of agriculture and the domestication of animals would produce knowledge of reproduction and paternity Knowledge of paternity (“women’s mysteries” no longer a mystery) could develop into the concept of “male primacy” and possibly the development of male-focused culture/religion

8. Sexuality & Human Culture ~ 5,000 years BC to present? A common theme of many myths and religions? (ca 2,000 – 5,000 BC) is that the downfall of “man” is brought about by women (sex?). To maintain the primacy of “man”, you control sexual behavior To maintain order in society, you control sexual behavior