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The religious timeline presents a comparative chronology of the major events in human religious history.The timeline is split into two eras. The period of prehistory and the period of recorded history. The prehistoric era covers the bulk of human history, yet no written records exist. As a consequence, much of the information from prehistory is gleamed from indirect sources. The period of recorded history begins with the invention of writing some 5000 years ago.
[edit] Prehistoric era
- 300,000
- first evidence of intentional burial of the dead. Sites such as at Atapuerca in Spain, bones of over 32 individuals are found in pit within a cave[1].
- 130,000 ya,
- Earliest undisputed evidence for intentional burial. Neanderthals are burying their dead at sites such as Krapina in Croatia[1].
- 100,000 ya
- The oldest ritual burial of modern humans is thought to be from a Qafzeh in Israel. There is a double burial of what is thought to be a mother and child. The bones have been stained with red ochre. By 100,000 years ago anatomically modern humans migrated to the middle east from Africa. However the fossil record of these humans ends after 100kya, leading scholars to believe that population either died out or returned to Africa.[2][3]
- 100,000 to 50,000 ya
- Increased use of red ochre at several Middle Stone Age sites. Red Ochre is thought to have played an important role in ritual.
- 70,000
- traces of worship of the python discovered in the Ngamiland region of Botswana.[4]
- 50,000
- Humans have evolved the traits associated with modern human behavior. Much of the evidence is from Late Stone Age sites in Africa. Modern human behavior includes abilities such as modern language, abstract thought, symbolism and religion[3].
- 42,000 ya
- Ritual burial of Man at Lake Mungo in Australia. The body is sprinkled with copious amounts of red ochre. this is seen as evidence that the Australians had brought along with them religious rituals from Africa.
- 40,000 ya
- Upper Paleolithic begins in Europe. There is an abundance of fossil evidence including elaborate burials of the dead, venus figurines and cave art. Venus figurines are thought to represent fertility goddesses. The cave paintings at chauvet and Lascaux are believed to represent religious thought.
- 30,000 ya
- Earliest known burial of a shaman.[5]
- 11,000 ya
- The Neolithic Revolution begins. Humans adopt a sedentary lifestyle following the invention of agriculture. The foundations of organized religion are laid following the formation of the first chiefdoms, states and nations.
[edit] History of Religion
[edit] 3000 to 800 BCE
- 3000
- Writing is invented in Sumeria, it is first used for accounting but is later used to record myth.
- 2800
- Indus Valley Civilization begins to mature. A number of religious aspects of this civilization would eventually be incorporated in the Indian religions.
- 2494-2345
- The Pyramid Texts arguably the oldest known religious texts in the world are composed.
- 2300
- Earliest Confucian writing, Shu Ching incorporates ideas of harmony and heaven.
- 2200
- Minoan Civilization in Crete develops. Citizens worship a variety of Goddesses.
- 1850
- Abraham is thought to have lived. Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh is written.
- 1500
- Earliest Vedas are composed.
- 1367
- Reign of Akhenaton in Ancient Egypt. He is credited with introducing Monotheism to religion
- 1250
- Moses is thought to have led the Hebrews out of Egypt. The first books of the Torah are composed.
- 1200
- Olmecs build earliest pyramids and temples in Central America
- 950
- Pentateuch is written.
[edit] Axial Age 800-200 BCE
- 800
- Early Brahmanas are composed.
- 628
- Zoroaster, founder of Zoroastrianism is thought to have been born
- 563
- Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism is born.
- 551
- Confucius, founder of Confucianism, is born.
[edit] 200 BCE-1500 CE
- 7-2
- Jesus Christ is born.
- 250-900
- Classic Mayan civilization, Stepped pyramids are constructed.
- 405
- St. Jerome completes the Vulgate, the first latin translation of the bible.
- 570-632
- Life of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam.
- 650
- Koran is completed.
- 712
- Kojiki the oldest surviving book and Shinto texts are written
[edit] 1500 CE - current
- 1500
- African religious systems are introduced to the Americas, with the commencement of the trans-Atlantic forced migration.
- 1469-1539
- The life of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism
- 1817-1892
- The life of Bahá'u'lláh, founder of the Bahá'í Faith
- 1930s
- Rastafarianism, Nation of Islam are founded
[edit] footnotes
[edit] References
