Question description

1. “Myths in Neolithic Cultures Around the Glove”

use one sources under the Explore heading as the basis of your response.

• Describe the functions of ancient myths, using examples from two (2) different neolithic cultures, and comment on whether myth is inherently fictional. Using modern examples, discuss ways modern belief systems, secular or religious, function for modern cultures in a similar fashion.

Explore

Neolithic societies and myths

• Chapter 1 (pp. 6-8. 18-23, 29), myths in prehistory and early cultures
• Ancient myths in regions around the globe at http://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/worldmap_new.html and http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/.

2. “Egyptian Love Poetry and Mummies”

use sources under the Explore heading as the basis of your response.

• From the samples of Egyptian love poetry, identify one (1) or two (2) lines that you especially enjoy or find interesting, and compare this poetry to some aspect of modern life. Next, describe two (2) aspects of Egyptian mummification and the early Egyptians’ beliefs related to mummification that you find surprising or intriguing. These funerary practices were driven by certain Egyptian ideas of the afterlife; compare these to modern beliefs and practices.

Explore

Egypt

• Chapter 3 (pp. 86-8), Egyptian music
• Egyptian love poetry at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/2000egypt-love.asp and http://www.humanistictexts.org/egyptlov.htm; as in the Old Testament’s “Song of Solomon,” the terms “brother” and “sister” are terms of affection and do not refer to a biological relationship
• Chapter 3 (pp. 74-5, 86, 89-91), Egyptian mummification and beliefs about afterlife
• Egyptian mummification and burial at http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/mummies/explore/main.html
• Atlanta Michael Carlos Museum at http://carlos.emory.edu/COLLECTION/EGYPT/egypt01.html
• Egyptologist explains mummification at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/afterlife-ancient-egypt.html