Archaeologica.org

Okay....let's look at your last point.

HSS buried his dead.

Well. Some did - some didn't.

The Romans practiced cremation. The Greeks buried. American Indians apparently did both and also some tribes 'buried' their dead on exposed platforms waiting for nature to take its course. The Norse apparently started out by using cremation and then moved to burials.

My somewhat heavy-handed point is that with this kind of diversity among HSS groups why assume that HN had only one method and/or that method remained the same for his entire 400,000 year run

marduk wrote: eating your relatives shows that you like to keep it in the family

At least until the next day.

One thing is certain. An intelligent species did something with the dead. I mean you don't leave your dead grandma in the cave where your family lives. And actually Marduk's idea of cannabalism is not without merit as it is a shame to waste all that protein and fat. It seems prohibitions on cannabalism would apply if there was some 'moral' imperative not to do it.

I share your view Monk.

Having seen, Mins article a few hours ago (finally), reviewing Digit's opening post and thinking more deeply about this, again I am left trying to understand how, Digit, you opened with the remark that Neanderthal was concerned about an after-life and the implication that perhaps he practiced some kind of religion. There is practically no eidence to support this view. Even the known burials may have been simple attempts to keep the deceased nearby without the unpleasantness of death and hungry wildlife lurking around.

Further there is no evidence of other religious-like practices: no art, no carvings, no jewelry, no stone circles, no funny hats, nothing. As for the statement that HN and HSS mingled, I am not sure that was entirely true either. They may have lived near each other at times but it doesn't appear that they shared recipes, if you know what I mean. Especially if, as Marduk says, HN had a hankering for meat and HS did not, then HN would have been seen as predatory: not ones you would babysit the kids.

When I kicked off Monk I actually said 'early man', HSN somehow got in the way a bit later.
The point I was trying to open up to discussion was that before religion became a state power people were considering an afterlife, I suggested, quoting their burial procedures as possible evidence.
That being the case, what started that line of thought, I suggested that possibly the cause was so called para normal experiences as a suitable precurser.
For example Monk, if you are ever in my neck of the woods I would love to introduce you to our poltergeist and see what explanation you could advance for having to duck every so often to avoid Identified Flying Objects!

no funny hats

I would love to introduce you to our poltergeist and see what explanation you could advance for having to duck every so often to avoid Identified Flying Objects!

thats not a poltergeist thats just aliens taking the piss
theyre perfectly normal and explained by science

It's nice to know that aliens have a sense of humour Marduk, but quite what they get out of throwing things around my place and hiding them in weird places puzzles me. It'll never replace slapstick that's for sure!

the aliens at my place deliberately make noises like theyre children running up and down the stairs
thing is
I live on my own and the stairs are in my house
sometimes it wakes me up at night
well that and my sucker mouthed catfish thats learned how to bark

You sure it's a Catfish and not a Dogfish Steve?

i have a barking catfish that may think its a dog
see dogfish don't bark either
and catfish don't miaow
well mine doesnt at any rate

I'd ask for an immediate refund!

Digit wrote: For example Monk, if you are ever in my neck of the woods I would love to introduce you to our poltergeist and see what explanation you could advance for having to duck every so often to avoid Identified Flying Objects!

My guess is, your wife is upset because you spend too much time on the bloody computer!

Not that Monk, it leaves her to watch her TV programmes without me bothering her.
I wasn't joking though Monk, the weight of some things has been surprising and the speed at which they move on occasion is considerable, and no I'm not the only witness I might add.
If you work on the idea that neither I nor the other witness are ready for the funny farm then perhaps you will uderstand why I suggested that these sort of events could in the past have kicked off religion.

you will uderstand why I suggested that these sort of events could in the past have kicked off religion

you're claiming that cavemen had poltergeists then

moving the rocks around in a darkened cave as if by magic led the whole of the ancient world into a belief that the sun was a god
i think thats a little tenuous Roy
hehehe