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Questions and Answers
What is the primary challenge anthropologists face when studying medicine and pharmacy in primitive societies?
What is the primary challenge anthropologists face when studying medicine and pharmacy in primitive societies?
What is one of the sources of knowledge about medicine in primitive societies?
What is one of the sources of knowledge about medicine in primitive societies?
What is the average life expectancy of a primitive person?
What is the average life expectancy of a primitive person?
What is the significance of Shanidar Cave in the context of prehistoric pharmacy?
What is the significance of Shanidar Cave in the context of prehistoric pharmacy?
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What is one of the ways anthropologists study the human past?
What is one of the ways anthropologists study the human past?
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What was the source of inspiration for primitive people's early soothing applications?
What was the source of inspiration for primitive people's early soothing applications?
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What was the primary method of identifying healing properties of natural substances in prehistoric times?
What was the primary method of identifying healing properties of natural substances in prehistoric times?
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What was the belief system that attributed disease to punishment for disrespect to the memory of ancestors?
What was the belief system that attributed disease to punishment for disrespect to the memory of ancestors?
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What was the role of shamans in primitive societies?
What was the role of shamans in primitive societies?
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What was the significant discovery of the era of matriarchy?
What was the significant discovery of the era of matriarchy?
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What was the impact of the invention of the bow and arrows on primitive societies?
What was the impact of the invention of the bow and arrows on primitive societies?
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What was the significance of the era of patriarchy in the development of primitive medicine?
What was the significance of the era of patriarchy in the development of primitive medicine?
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What was the role of shepherds in the discovery of healing plants?
What was the role of shepherds in the discovery of healing plants?
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What was the concept that primitive people discovered and is regarded as one of humanity's greatest achievements?
What was the concept that primitive people discovered and is regarded as one of humanity's greatest achievements?
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What was the primary method of treating diseases in primitive societies?
What was the primary method of treating diseases in primitive societies?
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What is suggested about the elderly Neanderthal male, Shanidar 1, based on his injuries and impairments?
What is suggested about the elderly Neanderthal male, Shanidar 1, based on his injuries and impairments?
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What is the significance of the flowering plants found in Shanidar 4's grave deposit?
What is the significance of the flowering plants found in Shanidar 4's grave deposit?
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What is the alternative explanation for the presence of pollen in Shanidar 4's grave deposit?
What is the alternative explanation for the presence of pollen in Shanidar 4's grave deposit?
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What is the occupation that is suggested for the Shanidar Neanderthal based on the evidence found in Shanidar 4's grave deposit?
What is the occupation that is suggested for the Shanidar Neanderthal based on the evidence found in Shanidar 4's grave deposit?
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What is the age range of the adult male Neanderthal, Shanidar 4?
What is the age range of the adult male Neanderthal, Shanidar 4?
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What is the name of the cave where the remains of ten Neanderthal men, women, and children were discovered in the 1950s?
What is the name of the cave where the remains of ten Neanderthal men, women, and children were discovered in the 1950s?
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Study Notes
Shanidar Cave Discovery
- Remains of 10 Neanderthal men, women, and children were discovered in Shanidar cave in the 1950s
- Shanidar 1: an elderly Neanderthal male aged 30-45 years with several healed injuries, a withered right arm, and blindness in one eye
- Shanidar 1's survival suggests that he must have been aided by others, indicating some level of social care
Shanidar 4: "Flower Burial"
- An adult male aged 30-45 years with evidence of medicinal plant use in his burial site
- The presence of flowering plants with medicinal properties suggests a possible shamanic or medicinal practice among the Neanderthals
- However, it's possible that animals may have brought the pollen to the burial site, rather than it being a deliberate human act
Sources of Medicinal Knowledge
- Studying human past through material remains, pathological changes, and ancient plants
- Average life expectancy of a primitive person did not exceed 30 years
###Primitive Pharmacy
- Primitive people learned about medicine through instinct, observation, and trial and error
- They used natural substances, such as cool water, leaves, dirt, and mud, to treat ailments
- Healing properties of natural substances were identified through trial and error, and passed down through tribe knowledge
Beliefs and Practices
- Animalism: belief in the relationship between humans and animals
- Fetishism: belief in the supernatural properties of non-living objects
- Animism: belief in the soul, spirits, and good and evil forces of nature
- Disease was seen as a punishment for disrespect to the memory of ancestors
Shamans
- Shamans were tribe healers who acted as mediators between the three worlds: upper, middle, and underworld
- They used ritual equipment, including drums, musical instruments, and models of spirit helpers
- Shamans prepared magical potions using plants and spices, and had many local names, such as sorcerer, healer, and medicine man/woman
Development of Primitive Society
- The era was divided into two periods: the period of father frets and the period of maternal frets
- The Era of Matriarchy: notable discoveries include fire, edible and inedible roots and herbs, and the invention of the bow and arrows
- The Era of Patriarchy: notable developments include the transition from hunting to animal husbandry, pottery, and the discovery of new healing plants and surgical practices
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Description
Learn about the early days of pharmacy and healing. Discover how primitive people learned from nature and developed their knowledge of healing properties through trial and error. Explore the origins of natural remedies and the role of instinct and observation in shaping ancient medicine.
