Which were the first religions to be created with well known scriptures, ceremonies and traditions? Was it that of the ancient Egyptians or the old kingdoms of the Middle East? What about Africa or the East?
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Archeologists have found evidence of religious rituals in Neanderthal burial sites 300,000 years ago. So this was likely a behavior we shared with our common ancestor, Homo Rhodensiensis at least 350K years ago when they diverged. Unsurprisingly, the first literate societies, Sumer and Egypt, used their literacy to record some of their religious practices. The oldest written work of a major world religion that is still in widespread use today is probably the Rigveda (sacred to the Hindus), which we now believe was written sometime between 1700 and 1100 BC. |
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In terms of organised religion on a state level I believe the ancient Mesopotanians where the first to truly structure and organise religion. Commission the building of temples paying priest out of state coffers etc. |
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