The Secret World of Early Civilizations: The Beginnings of Belief and Culture

The beliefs and cultures of ancient peoples played an important role in the formation of human society. These beliefs and cultures deeply influenced not only daily life, but also politics, economics, art, and even the fields of science. The civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, and the Americas formed the cultural mosaic of the ancient world.

The basis of these civilizations is the Mesopotamian culture. The region “between two rivers” (Euphrates and Tigris) is known for the emergence of the world's first city-states and writing system. The Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians who lived here believed in polytheistic religion. The gods were depicted in human-like forms, but had supernatural powers. Gods such as Enlil, Enki, Ishtar, and Marduk played key roles. They were perceived as beings who controlled natural phenomena, fertility, and warfare.

In Mesopotamia, multi-story temples called “Zigqurats” were built. These temples were used for both religious rituals and astronomical observations. The Sumerian cultural heritage, including cuneiform writings on clay tablets, the first written laws of human history, and epic works (for example, the “Epic of Gilgamesh”), reflect the origin of man and his search for immortality.

The basis of the first civilizations is the ancient Egyptian culture. The Egyptian civilization, which developed along the Nile River, was also based on a polytheistic religion. Among the most famous gods were Ra (the sun god), Osiris (the ruler of the underworld), Isis, and Horus. The Egyptians believed strongly in death and the afterlife, which led to mummification and the construction of pyramids. They believed that after a person dies, his soul (ka) can return to his body, and therefore it was necessary to preserve the body.

The ancient Egyptians reached a high level of development in the field of art and architecture. Religious texts written in hieroglyphic script, paintings and works of art found in the tombs of the pharaohs prove the richness of this culture.

The Indus Valley Civilization, which developed in the Indus Valley around 2500 BC, was notable for its planned architecture and water and sewerage systems. Although there is less information about this civilization, animal symbols and figures of gods on seals there indicate the presence of religious belief. They worshipped gods related to nature, which may form the basis of later Hinduism.

The people of the Indus Valley seemed to be peace-loving - no large weapons or works of art depicting war scenes have been found so far. This also indicates that harmony was at the forefront of their beliefs.

The roots of ancient civilization extend to Chinese lands and the roots of civilization go back to 2000 BC. In the earliest times, during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, belief in spirits and ancestors was the main religious view. The Chinese believed that the spirits of ancestors influenced the lives of the living, and they made sacrifices to them. The greatest of the gods was "Shan Di".

The development of the writing system in China, the discovery of silk and paper, and the formation of philosophical and spiritual movements such as Confucianism and Taoism prove that this culture was multifaceted. Beliefs also influenced daily behavior, family structures, and the ideology of rule. The ancient peoples of Central and South America, the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs who lived in the Americas, also had rich beliefs and cultures. The Maya were very advanced in astronomy and mathematics, and the cyclical flow of time was sacred to them. The Sun, Moon, Venus, and other celestial bodies were a major part of their religious rituals. Sacrificial rituals were performed to appease the gods.

The Incas created a large empire in the Andes Mountains. They worshiped gods such as “Inti” (the sun god) and “Pachamama” (the earth mother). The Incas demonstrated a high level of organization in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, and culture. In general, the beliefs of ancient peoples were one of the main pillars that shaped their worldview, social structure, and cultural heritage. The temples built by these people, the epics they wrote, the sacrificial ceremonies, and daily rituals they performed, on the one hand, play a key role in studying history, and on the other hand, they become an important tool for modern man to understand his spiritual past. Their legacy lives on today as one of the cornerstones of human civilization.

Translator

Guluzade Solmaz