Inside The Neolithic Mind : Consciousness, Cosm... -

: The authors propose that Neolithic people perceived the cosmos in three layers: an underworld (realm of the dead), the surface (realm of the living), and a sky world (realm of the gods).

: Structures like Newgrange in Ireland or Çatalhöyük in Turkey are viewed as "artificial caves" or vortices that allowed elites to bridge the gap between these cosmic layers and assert social power. Key Comparisons Inside the neolithic mind : consciousness, cosm...

: Rituals involving dance, rhythmic sound, or hallucinogens allowed people to enter trances. The authors suggest that common "entoptic phenomena" (geometric patterns seen during trances) influenced the spirals and zigzags found in megalithic art. : The authors propose that Neolithic people perceived