Medical mythology in stone age Malta

Abstract

Mythology or religious belief attempts to give an explanation of life-event uncertainties such as failing crops, life and death. These problems are difficult to explain to the primitive non-scientific mind. Mythology often implies a belief in supernatural forces or beings who are both different and superior to living men, in that they directly or indirectly exercise a benign or harmful influence. It is the function of ritual practices or ceremonies to encourage the former influence, and prevent or neutralise the latter. Supernatural beings, the objects of these beliefs, can be divided into two categories. On the one hand there are the dead ancestors or manes who have been known to their contemporaries while alive; while on the other hand, there are the divinities who never existed as ordinary mortals.