Journey through the origins of world religions from ancient practices to modern beliefs.

• Investigates the roots of various religions, including both living and long-extinct belief systems.
• Considers religions from the perspective of their origins, connections, symbolism, and rituals.
• Examines the transition from religions that no longer exist to the emergence of current major world religions.

Understanding religion as belief in the supernatural, involving ritual behavior and communal worship.

• Seeks evidence of early religious behaviors and contemplates the challenges of interpreting such evidence.
• Discusses the role of animism and shamanism which often lack an omnipotent deity.
• Questions the necessity of a god for a belief system to be classified as a religion.

The rise of religions in the last six thousand years and their spread alongside the practice of agriculture.

• Focuses on modern religions, particularly the 'big four': Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
• Acknowledges the presence of traditional and folk religions that exist alongside organized religions.
• Highlights the evolution of religious practices as they spread and were molded to fit societal needs.

Exploring the origins, spread, and shared characteristics of the Abrahamic religions.

• Details the shared heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, stemming from the figure of Abraham.
• Discusses the monotheistic evolution of these faiths and their influence on each other.
• Highlights the unique aspects of Islam, such as its rapid spread and the role of Muhammad.

Investigating the religious practices predating the Abrahamic faiths, focusing on the Middle East and Mesopotamia.

• Examines the influence of Mesopotamian religion on later faiths and the spread of agricultural myths.
• Considers the evolution of creation myths and their migration through cultures.
• Discusses the significance of farming in the development and dissemination of religious beliefs.

Understanding the shift from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies and its impact on religious development.

• Explores the archaeological sites representing the transition to agriculture, such as Jericho and Catalhoyuk.
• Discusses the emergence of personified deities as a response to settled, community-based living.
• Highlights the role of climate change in driving the development of agricultural societies.

Analyzing the origins and spread of Indo-European and Egyptian religious beliefs.

• Delves into the polytheistic nature of Indo-European traditions and their common mythological themes.
• Examines Egypt's unique and stable religious culture, including its focus on the afterlife.
• Discusses the influence of migrating cultures on the religious landscape of Europe and the Near East.

Chronicling the evolution of religious belief and practice through the lens of archaeology and mythology.

• Considers the role of farming in shaping religious practices and the subsequent personification of gods.
• Highlights the use of poetry and oral tradition in preserving and transmitting religious beliefs.
• Discusses the significance of burial practices and their implications for understanding early religion.