Shamanism is the term given by anthropologists to the most basic and universal form of religion: the ritual specialist or shaman. Many many cultures have shamanistic elements, where an individual represents the connection between the mundane and spiritual world, holding the knowledge of the supernatural and sometimes natural world and performing duties of intermediating between the two.
Shamanism is often associated with trances of some kind, induced by drugs or physical exertions such as exposure to great heat or cold or pain. In archaeology, shamanism is often a part of the interpretation of rock art and cave paintings. Anthropologist Michael Harner is probably the most widely known scholar working in the field today.
Further Information
See the glossary entry for Shamans for further information.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Examples: shamans, priests, elders, magicians, medicine men, witches, oracles, mystics