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Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations

Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations Universalism, Constructivism and Near-Death Experience - Continuum Advances in Religious Studies

1st edition

Paperback (20 Oct 2011)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Gregory Shushan challenges post-modern scholarly attitudes concerning cross-cultural comparisons in the study of religions. In an original and innovative piece of comparative research, he analyses afterlife conceptions in five ancient civilisations (Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica).


These are considered in light of historical and contemporary reports of near-death experiences, and shamanic afterlife 'journeys'. Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations is a significant study, for it presents a comprehensive new comparative framework for the cross-cultural study of myth and religion, while at the same time providing a fascinating exploration of the interface between belief and experience.

About the Publisher

Bloomsbury Continuum

Book information

ISBN: 9781441130884
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Imprint: Bloomsbury Continuum
Pub date:
Edition: 1st edition
Language: English
Number of pages: 284
Weight: 374g
Height: 233mm
Width: 157mm
Spine width: 14mm