The history of
civilization, viewed psychologically, is largely the account of the attempts of man to forget his transformation from an animal to a human being. He must have been dimly aware that he had not yet become sufficiently differentiated from his ape-like ancestors. With an integrated nervous system, and with the struggle for existence he sought many dreams and dream myths. One was of a Golden Age where there would be peace, solace, and no inward and outward strife. Such myths were present in all
aboriginal as well as so-called civilized people.
Aboriginal Civilization - Nature and Distribution
The most outstanding features of the aboriginal civilization were not one in number but 3,
Respect for the individual, irrespective of age or sex.
The amazing degree of social and political integration achieved by them, and
The existence of the
concept of personal security, which transcends all tribal and group interests and conflicts.
The society of Aboriginal Civilization was simple but to a limited extent. A majority possessed a subtle and highly elaborate social, economic and political structure, with developments in art, music and literature. Unlike Egyptian and Mesopotamian governments, they had well-planned towns. This applied not only to Mayas, Aztecs and Incas but also to the ancient southwest of the USA. But a question arises, “Didn’t they have any economic distortions and crisis? Answer lies in the following facts.
Lets go back to 1600 A.D. from our present times. The overwhelming majority of the aboriginal tribes
practiced agriculture. 5% were food gatherers, 15% were hunters and fishers and 10% pastoral nomads. The remaining were agriculturists. In terms of population, the percentage of non-agriculturists was smaller. There was no concept of individual ownership. The general method of exchange was Barter. Its
basic theory was “for the
object given or traded, an object representing a higher evaluation had to be given in return and so on ‘ad infinitum’’.
The political system was more variable. 70% agricultural communities possessed a clan. Groups of clans also
existed between two larger units called as dual organizations.
The legal system was not easy to epitomize. Everywhere communities were governed by fixed rules and observances empowered by a public opinion. At no point did absolute and personal despotism exist.
Social stratifications existed but basic equality of men and women, concept of property; clan organizations and implications were well practiced. The fundamental theory of equal right to food, shelter and clothing prevailed.
Among technological advancements, the tribes were never behind. Use of waterpower, wind-power, metals and war-implements were widely done. Writing was unknown, unlike the Mayas and the Mexicans.
Religion and magic was practiced. No official religion with any authority existed.
The aboriginal civilization existed in Mexico, Mediterranean Basin and a large portion of Asia. Few islands of Indonesia and all of Oceania have been in contact with those great foci of civil, which were established approximately 6000 years ago, along the Nile, Indus and Tigris-Euphrates rivers.
The great revolutions of agriculture, domestic plants, animals, pottery and weaving have spread all over aboriginal Africa and Asia.
This civilization is completely different from the New World, which is industrial, mechanized and global.
More summaries about the Primitive Man: Aboriginal Civilization