Inside the neolithic mind : consciousness, cosmos and the realm of the gods : with 104 illustrations, 29 in colour

**An exploration of how brain structure and cultural content interacted in the Neolithic period 10,000 years ago to produce unique life patterns and belief systems.** What do the headless figures found in the famous paintings at Catalhoyuk in Turkey have in common with the monumental tombs at Newgrange and Knowth in Ireland? How can the concepts of "birth," "death," and "wild" cast light on the archaeological enigma of the domestication of cattle? What generated the revolutionary social change that ended the Upper Palaeolithic? David Lewis-Williams's previous book, __The Mind in the Cave__, dealt with the remarkable Upper Palaeolithic paintings, carvings, and engravings of western Europe. Here Dr. Lewis-Williams and David Pearce examine the intricate web of belief, myth, and society in the succeeding Neolithic period, arguably the most significant turning point in all human history, when agriculture became a way of life and the fractious society that we know today was born. The authors focus on two contrasting times and places: the beginnings in the Near East, with its mud-brick and stone houses each piled on top of the ruins of another, and western Europe, with its massive stone monuments more ancient than the Egyptian pyramids. They argue that neurological patterns hardwired into the brain help explain the art and society that Neolithic people produced. Drawing on the latest research, the authors skillfully link material on human consciousness, imagery, and religious concepts to propose provocative new theories about the causes of an ancient revolution in cosmology and the origins of social complexity. In doing so they create a fascinating neurological bridge to the mysterious thought-lives of the past and reveal the essence of a momentous period in human history. 100 illustrations, 20 in color

an Exploration Of How Brain Structure And Cultural Content Interacted In The Neolithic Period 10,000 Years Ago To Produce Unique Life Patterns And Belief Systems.

what Do The Headless Figures Found In The Famous Paintings At Çatalhoyuk In Turkey Have In Common With The Monumental Tombs At Newgrange And Knowth In Ireland? How Can The Concepts Of Birth, Death, And Wild Cast Light On The Archaeological Enigma Of The Domestication Of Cattle? What Generated The Revolutionary Social Change That Ended The Upper Palaeolithic?

david Lewis-williams's Previous Book, the Mind In The Cave, Dealt With The Remarkable Upper Palaeolithic Paintings, Carvings, And Engravings Of Western Europe. Here Dr. Lewis-williams And David Pearce Examine The Intricate Web Of Belief, Myth, And Society In The Succeeding Neolithic Period, Arguably The Most Significant Turning Point In All Human History, When Agriculture Became A Way Of Life And The Fractious Society That We Know Today Was Born.

the Authors Focus On Two Contrasting Times And Places: The Beginnings In The Near East, With Its Mud-brick And Stone Houses Each Piled On Top Of The Ruins Of Another, And Western Europe, With Its Massive Stone Monuments More Ancient Than The Egyptian Pyramids.

they Argue That Neurological Patterns Hardwired Into The Brain Help Explain The Art And Society That Neolithic People Produced. Drawing On The Latest Research, The Authors Skillfully Link Material On Human Consciousness, Imagery, And Religious Concepts To Propose Provocative New Theories About The Causes Of An Ancient Revolution In Cosmology And The Origins Of Social Complexity. In Doing So They Create A Fascinatingneurological Bridge To The Mysterious Thought-lives Of The Past And Reveal The Essence Of A Momentous Period In Human History. 100 Illustrations, 20 In Color.

An exploration of how brain structure and cultural content interacted in the Neolithic period 10,000 years ago to produce unique life patterns and belief systems.What do the headless figures found in the famous paintings at Catalhoyuk in Turkey have in common with the monumental tombs at Newgrange and Knowth in Ireland? How can the concepts of "birth," "death," and "wild" cast light on the archaeological enigma of the domestication of cattle? What generated the revolutionary social change that ended the Upper Palaeolithic? David Lewis-Williams's previous book, The Mind in the Cave , dealt with the remarkable Upper Palaeolithic paintings, carvings, and engravings of western Europe. Here Dr. Lewis-Williams and David Pearce examine the intricate web of belief, myth, and society in the succeeding Neolithic period, arguably the most significant turning point in all human history, when agriculture became a way of life and the fractious society that we know today was... history, art history, archaeology, anthropology, prehistory, psychology, religion, sociology,history, art history, archaeology, anthropology, prehistory, psychology, religion, sociology This book continues the story begun in the book The Mind in the Cave. Drawing on the latest research and recent discoveries, the authors skilfully link material on human consciousness, imagery and belief systems to propose provocative new theories about the causes of an ancient revolution in cosmology, the origins of social complexity and even the drive behind the domestication of plants and animals. In doing so they create a fascinating neurological bridge to the mysterious thought-lives of the past and reveal the essence of a momentous period in human history Drawing on the latest research, this brilliantly argued, elegantly written book examines belief, myth and society in the Neolithic period, arguably the most significant turning point in human history, when the society we know was born. Linking consciousness, imagery and belief systems the authors create a bridge to the thought-lives of the past. An exploration of how brain structure and cultural systems developed throughout the Neolithic period 10,000 years ago explains how unique life patterns and belief systems evolved in the Near East and western Europe, revealing how neurological patterns can offer insight into developments in agriculture, religion, and art. This brilliantly argued and elegantly written book examines the intricate web of belief, myth and society in the Neolithic period, continuing the story begun in the bestselling and critically acclaimed book 'The Mind in the Cave'