David Lewis-Williams’s Cognitive Archeology: New Approach to Shamanism
Study of Religion January 1, 2019 A. D. Belova
The article examines archaeologist David Lewis-Williams's ideas on shamanism and rock art. It describes how his conception of a spectrum of consciousness and altered states (ASCs) explains universal mental images fixed in rock paintings, allowing reconstruction of creators' inner experiences and trance roles. The author finds confirmation in religious history, notes criticisms—mainly about defining symbolic activity and neglecting social organization—partially agrees, and introduces auxiliary theories to address some critiques. Prospects for applying Lewis-Williams's method to folklore sources are outlined.