Matt J. Rossano
Mortal Rituals
- ISBN 13:
- 9780231165006
- author:
- Matt J. Rossano
- format:
- HardBack
- publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2013
- Pages:
- 248
- Dimensions:
- 23.11 x 15.49 x 2.54 centimetres
- Genre:
- Nonfiction, Psychology, Applied Psychology,
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 7 working days
Description
The Story of Survival in the Andes Mountains Reveals Insights into Human Evolution. On 21 December 1972, sixteen young men were rescued after spending ten weeks stranded at the crash site of their plane in the remote Andes Mountains. Their ordeal, which included resorting to cannibalism to survive, has been extensively documented and studied. Anthropologist Matt Rossano examines this story from an evolutionary perspective, drawing on findings from anthropology, psychology, religion, and cognitive science. Through the power of ritual, the survivors were able to endure severe emotional and physical hardship, breaking "civilized" taboos to fend off starvation and abandoning traditional modes of thinking to maintain social unity and individual sanity. Rossano explores how this story reflects fundamental aspects of human nature, shedding light on our capacity for resilience and cooperation in the face of extreme adversity. By examining the Andes survivors' experience, Rossano offers a unique perspective on what it means to be human, highlighting the complex interplay between biology, culture, and psychology that shapes our behavior in times of crisis.
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