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In my last article, Time, I outlined the (widely) accepted Physical/Scientific explanation for the origins and demise of the universe. The article was written in response to Patanjali's discussion on the theoretical origins and ends of the Universe.

Utilising the Media Module, we have struck up a discussion in his reply to my Time article in his, A plea for no End nor Beginning. This Spirit article is continuing on the theme.

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Patanjali's last article (above) brought forth the much debated topic of Spirit. The concept is alone elusive. We have evidence that a recognition of humanity, and hence spirit, dates back to Homo neanderthalensis, 300,000-600,000 years ago. It may seem a while but the Homo Genus has been around for about 4million years, and the Universe in 13.75±0.35Billion years old.

A prehistoric Homo species, H. neanderthalensis existed Mid-Southern Continental Europe and areas of the Mediterranean Middle-East. They were no means part of the modern human species, but diverged from a common ancestor but being in the same genus, we share numerous physiological similarities.


Facial reconstruction of H. neanderthalensis


One of the most important aspects of the Homo genus, is the large cranial space (brain space). The modern human cranial space is on average about between 1300cm³ and 1600cm³. Unlike most other prehistoric, early hominids H. neanderthalensis, in samples found, has a very similar, and often larger brain size.

This is of key importance in regards to social evolution and inner species development. And perhaps the most prevalent indicator of this social awareness was the startling finds of Neanderthal graves.


Neanderthal Grave in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, France

These graves are perhaps the first indication of Human-Human recognition, as opposed to pack or group mentalities common to all mammals. Bodies had been carefully laid , and buried with tools and other "gifts" in manually dug graves. These early hominids were showing respect for the dead. Perhaps this was a testament to the large brain structure of the species.

Only recently, a discovery was made in the vicinty Cradle of Human Kind, South Africa. The Cradle was where some of the first Australopithecus africanus fossils were ever found, those of the same species as the famous Lucy. The discovery was of H. naledi, a brand new (or very old) hominid. The first fossils were discovered in 2013 in the Rising Star Cave Complex.

The interesting thing about the find, is the nature of the skeleton's formation/positions. The find is in a back chamber of the cave system which's entrance restricts all passage save for a narrow climb up a large rock formation called the Dragons Back.


Cross section of the cave system

The remains were found in the Dinaledi Chamber. As seen in the diagram, the chamber is difficult to reach, the "Superman's Crawl" being 20cm high at its narrowest. Being found in such a remote chamber has lead most archaeological anthropologists to the conclusion that H. naledi were disposing of their dead. No predator signs, nor water carriage nor any signs of roof collapse of stones dropped from easy access roots; this does not mean however that there was not in the past.

A second hypothesis, is that the bodies were disposed of in a ritual, of what kind it is not clear.

Regardless, the idea that this species had a ritual/body-disposal-system is fascinating. H. naledi, in contrast to H. neanderthalensis has a very small brain capacity of 900cm³, half that of modern humans and Neanderthals.


Complete H. naledi skeleton

Nonetheless, with our current knowledge, it would appear, that Human-Human recognition does not seem to require massive brain space. The disposal/burial/treatment of bodies is evident that in the rudiments of our family tree there is something to be recognised.

So what does this recognition need?

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Perhaps the answer lies in our brains.



Our brains work in the following way:

Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) pumps utilise Na and K ions to create electrical pulses in our Neurons (nerve/brain cells), these pulses are then interpreted by the metabolic (biochemical) reaction that take place in other cells (neurons inclusive). Communicating through synapses between dendrites and axons, these electrical pulses are interpreted in billions of different ways, which in combination with our genomes (DNA) and our environment make us us and allow us to react and interpret the world.


Neuron diagram

Our brain has about 100billion neurons within it, and each of these has about 7000 synaptic connection, that means in a grown adult the brain has between 100 and 500 trillion synaptic connections.

Wow.

And all this interacts in the most complex system known to human kind. Everything that we are happens in our brains, and honestly we don't even know what exactly that is. There is so much going on, from the moment the first notochord form in your embryonic stage until your death that it is impossible (for now) to moniter and understand.

We can track the subatomic particles that make atoms in massive machines like the Large Hadron Collider, but we still do not understans ourselves.

Or at least that is what we think...

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But how do we really think?

This is where it gets foggy, theology, psychology and science mix and match and repel in a confusing mess.

The largest proportion of the human population believes that there is something inside us, that is us. But what is it?

What makes us recognise each other? What gives us conscious thought and makes us different from each of our own?

You take another human and you will be about 99.035% identical, genetically speaking.

But is that it? Are you the same as the next man?

No.

You are not indeed. You know that you are you, and that the other person is the other person. There is something special about you, something different and wonderful and unique. Everyone reading this will read it differently from another, and you know that.

It makes us different, every living thing has It. It could be God, It could be nothing, It could be chemical. It could be any manner of things or a combination.

Does It matter?
Maybe.

For human's it does: look at science, look at theology and philosophy and history and anthropology, and what do we see each one doing?

Looking for something.





For what?


Spirit.

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