There are a number of tautologies in what you're saying, Darrenleroy, similar in perception to the myth that a sabbatical in Borneo will miraculously provide some epiphany in understanding "primitive" cultures, beliefs and life-styles. The sad reality is that, under scrutiny, they provide greater understanding of the motives of anthropologists/tourists/multi-national companies, etc. and the irreversible, immoral and often criminal damage interference can cause.
I do get what you're saying here but am dubious about "getting inside the heads of our ancient ancestors" by watching TV... Show me, don't tell me! To be fair, the producers must gauge a delicate balance between delivering valuable, informative content and populism, and beauty still lies in the eye of the beholder.
In the making of the series televised last year entitled A History of Scotland which was fronted by Jamie...ehhh, Tony Oliver, the foremost authorities in the field walked out with their hands up in fear of having their professional reputations sullied on the point that history began with book-keeping, and that of Scotland with the Roman invasion.
The intricate Pictish Floral Rods engraved on the walls of caves just a few miles down the coast from me, and on rocks and standing stones all over eastern Scotland, bear a striking resemblance to those far older feather-stick like engravings I've seen from Africa to Turkey, France and Spain. I refuse to accept that the artists who lovingly carved or painted effigies of the animals they saw every day or outlined their hand on a wall weren't recording history.
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has a problem with the argument that raw hides were used for clothing and shelter building and whether there is any evidence to uphold this. If assumptions are to be made, then I prefer to assume that stinking hides would attract things wanting to rip your throat out during the night, not to mention the aromatic qualities not being in keeping with good hunting practice. I also feel safe in saying that all materials were at hand -fats, brain, tannins, ash, salt, etc-, along with the tools and knowledge to process hides.
We are gradually beginning to accept the evidence that seasonal processing was being practiced and that good places for particular foodstuffs were being exploited on a seasonal basis by Mesolithic Britons, and there is no evidence that behaviour didn't arrive here as part of the package. After all, what is it that makes us human if not our abilities to communicate and solve problems, calculate benefit and burden and plan for the future in attempting to avoid bad experiences of the past.
It's just unfortunate that we've retained our "particular group" mentality and live for tomorrow world-view.
Cheers,
Pango.
Nb; It's too early in the morning for this!
