In prehistoric times, medicine was primarily rooted in which beliefs?

In prehistoric times, medicine was primarily rooted in religious beliefs. Many communities relied on spiritual explanations for illnesses and health issues, attributing ailments to the influence of deities, spirits, or supernatural forces. Healing practices often involved rituals, prayers, and the involvement of shamans or priests, who were believed to have the ability to communicate with the spiritual realm. This connection between health and the divine shaped the understanding of medicine before the advent of empirical scientific methods.

While herbal remedies and various surgical practices did emerge over time, they were often integrated within the broader context of religious and spiritual beliefs. Healing was seen not only as a physical process but also as a metaphysical one, where the balance between spiritual forces had to be maintained. Thus, the foundation of prehistoric medicine was closely tied to these deep-rooted religious beliefs, guiding how communities approached health and healing.