Introduction Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31, is one of the most widely recognized holidays in Western culture and increasingly worldwide. While today it is synonymous with costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive gatherings, its origins extend back over two millennia, encompassing a complex interplay of pagan rituals, Christian traditions, and cultural evolution (Hansen, 2019). Halloween’s enduring popularity raises important questions about its historical roots

Introduction From the earliest civilizations, humans have sought altered states of consciousness. Whether to commune with gods, heal the...

Introduction The origins of civilization remain one of the most captivating mysteries in human history. Archaeology provides us with a...

Introduction Earth’s history has been punctuated by cataclysmic events that reshaped its geology, atmosphere, and biosphere. From the...

Introduction Cannibalism—the consumption of human flesh by humans—has long been one of the most profound taboos in human culture. At once...