Shamanic and\or cognitive evolution
Documenta Praehistorica January 18, 2023 DOI: 10.4312/dp.33.20 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractShamanism has been subject to many misconceptions, but recent ethnological and cognitive-evolutionary research offers a reinterpretation of its basic concepts. This analytical paper examines shamanic healing methods, simple rhythmic and motor patterns, and visual or symbolic representations. It argues that these elements helped reconstruct mechanisms that contributed to early social life and intellectual history in prehistoric communities. The work synthesizes field data and cognitive studies to propose how shamanic practices, including ritual singing and visual symbolism, may have shaped community rituals and symbolic thought.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Shamanic initiation Hunting Singing Visual symbolism Rock art |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Argues that new ethnological and cognitive-evolutionary data allow reconstruction of mechanisms underlying early social and intellectual developments in prehistoric people, with focus on shamanic healing, rhythmic patterns, and symbolic representations. |
Abstract
Many misconceptions have been associated with shamanism. Recent studies, however, show a way to reinterpret basic concepts concerning shamanism. New field data from ethnology/anthropology, and studies on cognitive evolution have provided new results to enable a reconstruction of some mechanisms which contributed to early developments in the social life and intellectual history of prehistoric people. Shamanic healing methods, simple rhythmic and motor patterns and visual/symbolic representations are the focus of this analytical paper.