Shaping humans. From prehistory to initiation rites

As Pico della Mirandola pointed out in the 15^th century, human beings can be extraordinarily clever in moulding and sculpting themselves. There are clearly some constraints associated with their biology, but culture then intervenes to give them shape. This happens both within the overall evolutionary process and in the course of every person’s life. Phylogenesis and ontogenesis are two imposing paleoanthropological scenarios where culture’s power in building humanity can be seen. Paleoanthropological studies have suggested that some major discoveries - for example fire and cooking food - marked the beginning of the Human race. Ethno-anthropological studies reveal that the idea human beings literally need “intervention” from the moment of birth and, even more so, during specific rites of initiation into adult life is very widespread, seen in many different societies. The aim is to imprint a specific model of humanity on their very bodies.