1. Religion and Human Evolution

2. 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. //

3. 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

4. From ape to hominid: Family tree

5. 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

6. Homo erectus skull
Homo Erectus

7. Homo erectus the hunter

8. Acheulian hand axe

9. Homo erectus and fire

10. Neanderthal from Spain

12. Mousterian tools

13. Shanidar burial reconstructed

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