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moss wrote: " I've seen plenty evidence of Life... creative and groovy RA, shell middens, stone tools, later Bronze implements, Neolithic Cairns, BA Cairns... but not any evidence of religious worship."
Having a 'belief' stands at the core of the human psyche - yes I know you modern sceptics would argue otherwise - but I am with HD that life through survival and work is the important factor in most human societies. Alignments of stones could be as much to do with seasonal and practical stuff.
Religion is a teaching mechanism, a way of keeping people in control, if there is any parallel than look at the decoration of churches over the centuries compared to the stones, and interpret the stories they are telling, if you can of course.
'modern sceptic' is one of the last phrases I'd use to describe myself, but perhaps you know better having never met or spoken to me about anything in any kind of depth.
Do you mean 'person who doesn't automatically believe all sorts of bullshit promoted by nearly always ill-informed internet dickheads?', if so that fits a bit better.
So how do you view, say, the intentional breaking and watery deposition of various tools or accoutrements, if not in a religious sense?
I'm not saying something like that is proof of prehistoric religion, of course.
Do you think, say, a costwold-severn long barrow had a practical purpose?
A decorated stone covering a cist at nether largie is that practical? something to do with the seasons?
A huge, non-defensive, bank and ditch at avebury, is that practical? something what about a formalised avenue of stones?
Aberdeenshire stone balls, obviously practical?
Silbury hill with it's 'layers'?
Uragh - A calendar I suppose?
Even some of the feckin pottery is impractical.
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