Ralph W Hood. Jr.

The archaeology of religion has generated increased interest among social scientists involved in the scientific study of religion. Sharon Steadman recognizes that most of the cultures discussed in this interesting text did not recognize the existence of “religion.” It is largely Western intellectuals who have sought to elevate “religion” as a phenomenon of human society in need of clarification by social scientists. However, Steadman rightly explores the world views of ancient cultures insofar as they overlap with what contemporary anthropologists recognize as religion.