1. Africa, America, Asia Ancestor worship in contemporary cultures

2. Aspects of ancestor veneration in the Andes (2000 BC-1533 AD) Mummy bundles in stone chambers (colcas) adjacent to plazas in city centers, in free standing stone towers (chullpas) adjacent to the plaza or in the highlands and in caves and rock shelters (machayes) on the heights (2000 BC-1533 AD) Tombs of the rulers and human sacrifice under palace compounds in the city centers and otherwise very much influenced by the coastal-highland landscape, e.g., Chimu and Moche culture (100-1470 AD) Bone and skull cult as well as secondary burial rites observed in all different regions (2000 BC-1533 AD) Child sacrifice (ritual of Capachoca) on the mountain peaks during the Inca Empire (1438-1533 AD)

3. World religions and beliefs

4. Afterlife beliefs and the veneration of ancestors in the world religion Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in an afterlife and resurrection of the soul (with exceptions for Judaism), an everlasting heaven, paradise or Garden of Eden or purgatory and hell depending on the deceased’s behavior in life Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Christians pray to saints for their help and guidance, either understood as all the souls that have ascended to heaven or extraordinary personalities that were beatified by the Pope, but it is in general strictly forbidden to call up spirits, pray to ancestors and practice grave cult in all three religions

5. Allhallowtide: All Hallows’ Eve – All Saints’ Day – All Souls’ Day Dias de los Muertos: Dia de los Inocentes/Angelitos – Dia de los Difuntos Days of the Dead Samhain: Oiche Shamhna – La Samhna

6. Christian saints

7. Ancestor veneration in America, Africa and Asia

8. Asen in Benin, Africa

9. Sugar skulls and cardboard skeletons in Mexico and the United States, America

10. Paper offerings in China, Asia

11. Ancestors in the media