Pásztor Emília (szerk.): Sámánizmus és természethit régen és ma - Bajai dolgozatok 23. (Baja, 2019)
Jaromir Kovárnik: Az őskori ember hitvilágának tanulmányozása. A sámánizmus kutatása a régészetben
A probe into the spiritual life of prehistoric people, a reflection of shamanism in archaeology Introduction The correct explanation of the many findings that we associate with rituals or prehistoric cults would require knowledge of the mythology and religious ideas of prehistoric people. In the present article, we describe the findings most likely related to shamanism as well as finds that could serve as part of the artefacts apparently used during the rituals. Shamanism as part of a prehistoric religion is most typical for hunter and gatherer communities. It is a period of the upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic. The prehistoric religion contains several basic components. In the first place it is dogma, myth or taboo. The organizational component (woman shamans / shamans and priestesses / priests) is also accessed. The last is the ritual component. In archaeology we have the possibility to document only partially the myth in the form of a more complex image with humans and animals. Here we have the possibility of fabulation. Some paintings or statuettes could depict woman shamans / shamans and priestesses / priests. The rituals are documented according to archaeological finds of used aids. Shamanism is a practice of blessing good and banning evil (evil spirits as the makers of all negative, lack of food, hunters unsuccessful hunting, collectors lack of harvested fruits, culinary and medicinal plants, to evade bad weather for Neolithic farmers). Shamans also made sacrifices. The function of the shaman was undoubtedly very prestigious in the prehistoric community, but on the other hand also responsible. He was the one who communicated with supernatural powers and spirits in order to gain their favour. We draw attention to other important moments in connection with the institution of the shamanism. Did shamans always have to be exclusively men? Women could also practice shamanism. We found evidence for this claim in archaeological finds. Mythical Princess Libuse (i. e. a likeable girl or woman, symbolic name) of the Czech myth about the founding of the city of Prague and the founding of the ruling dynasty [wife of the mythical Premysl (i. e. meditative, a symbolic name) the Ploughman, founder of the Czech principality, Czech state] inherited the ruling power after his father, Prince Krok. However, Princess Libuse was also gifted with the ability to foreknow the future. She was a soothsayer. In the history of Bohemia and Moravia are known figures of old wise women, folk healers, the Czech name „(woman) herbalist". These women collected different herbs and spices and knew their curative properties 61
