Shamans, Sorcerers, and Saints A Prehistory of Religion

by Hayden, Brian

• ISBN13: 9781588341686
• ISBN10: 1588341682
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-12-17
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books

Summary

Shamans, Sorcerers, and Saints offers a broad and uniquely archaeological perspective on the evolution of religious behavior from prehistoric times to the present. Hayden makes a distinction between traditional religions (those passed on orally or experientially) and more modern "book" religions (those based on a scripture and a moral code, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). He goes on to explore the uniquely human emotional foundation and ecological factors that shaped their evolution, showing how our innate ability to enter into sacred ecstatic states using a variety of techniques is especially important to understanding our religious heritage. These techniques include fasting, rhythmic breathing, sex, meditation, and many others.

Author Biography

Brian Hayden is a professor of archaeology at Simon Fraser University

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Delving into the Past	1	(19)
The Making of Humanity and the Origin of Religion	20	(26)
Shamanism: An Ancient System	46	(42)
The Primal Paleolithic	88	(34)
Complexity in the Hunter-Gatherer World	122	(45)
A Cauldron of Change in the Fertile Crescent	167	(52)
Megaliths and Mages	219	(52)
Pastoral Nomads Turn the World on Edge	271	(33)
Celts and Saxons Embellish Western Rites	304	(30)
Once Upon a Time: The Mystery of Stories	334	(13)
Religious Needs of Early States and Empires	347	(33)
The New Synthesis: Judeo-Christianity	380	(19)
Religious Foment in the Industrial World	399	(16)
References	415	(42)
Glossary	457	(4)
Index	461