PREHISTORIC RELIGION Meaning and
Definition
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Prehistoric religion refers to the spiritual and belief systems that were practiced by early human societies before the advent of written records, commonly dating back to the Paleolithic era, although it can extend into later periods such as the Neolithic age. As this term suggests, prehistoric religion relates to the religious practices and rituals of ancient cultures that existed before the rise of organized or structured religions that emerged with the development of agriculture, writing, and more complex social systems.
Since prehistoric religions predate written history and the documentation of these belief systems, our understanding is primarily derived from archaeological discoveries and interpretations of art, tools, burial practices, and other cultural artifacts. While the specific religious beliefs varied greatly across different prehistoric cultures, there are several common elements that can be observed. These include animism, the belief that spirits reside in natural objects, reverence for ancestors, rituals to ensure successful hunting or fertility, and a deep connection with the natural world.
Prehistoric religious practices frequently revolved around ceremonies, communal rituals, and sacred places. Shamanism, which involved individuals who acted as intermediaries between humans and the spiritual world, was often practiced. The worship of a divine or ancestral figurehead may have also been present in some prehistoric religions.
In essence, prehistoric religion refers to the religious and spiritual practices of ancient cultures before the emergence of written records, providing valuable insights into the earliest forms of human spirituality and the foundations upon which subsequent religious systems were built.
Etymology of PREHISTORIC RELIGION
The word "prehistoric" originated from two Latin roots: "pre" meaning "before" and "historic" meaning "recorded history". Hence, "prehistoric" refers to the time period before written records or historical documentation.
The term "religion" comes from the Latin word "religio", which has various interpretations, including "bind", "re-connect", "reverence", or "obligation". The definition of religion often varies, but it generally refers to a set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and worship involving the supernatural or divine.
Therefore, the phrase "prehistoric religion" combines the concept of religious beliefs and practices with the time period before recorded history, referring to the religious practices and beliefs of ancient civilizations for which there are no written records or historical documentation.
