Before writing, the intricacies of animal behavior were passed down through performance. An elder mimicking the rutting call of a deer or the defensive circle of a muskox taught hunters how to anticipate their prey's next move. 4. The Cave Wall (The First Records)
We are still wired for these tales. Whether it’s a modern thriller or a cautionary news report, we use narrative to simplify a complex world. Prehistoric tales were the first step in turning the environment from a series of threats into a home. Prehistoric Tales
In a world without GPS, stories described the land. A tale about a "Great Spirit trapped in the ice" served as a warning to avoid treacherous glaciers. Narratives about the "Valley of the Red Sun" might lead a tribe to flint deposits essential for toolmaking. 2. The Totem & Taboo (Social Order) Stories defined who belonged to the tribe and who didn't. Before writing, the intricacies of animal behavior were