What evidence is there for prehistoric interpersonal violence in the archaeological record?

What evidence is there for prehistoric interpersonal violence in the archaeological record? Up until fairly recently a romantic, peaceful image was painted of prehistoric societies. However, new archaeological discoveries, and reassessments of old ones have caused this theory to diminish. Numerous bodies (articulated and dis-articulated) have been uncovered which show evidence of lethal and healed injuries. These injuries can have only been gained during a conflict of some kind. An example of these injuries comes from Tormorton in the Cotswolds, dating back to about 1000 BC. In 1968 four skeletons were found in a field, whilst a gas pipeline was being dug. Three skeletons were found and one skull. Two of the skeletons, both males, showed evidence of both having met a particularly unpleasant end. One of the men had been stabbed with a spear in both sides of his pelvis and the other had been stabbed in the spinal cord and in the pelvis also. The spearhead was still lodged in the second man's back. There is no plausible explanation for how these men could have sustained such injuries without being involved in some form of interpersonal conflict. Leading on from this, is evidence of massacres. These are largely identified by the way in which bodies are buried and the gender and age of the people buried there. Indications of a Neolithic massacre were discovered in 1983 in

  • Word count: 1069
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Explain what Christians believe about their responsibilities for other people.

Explain what Christians believe about their responsibilities for other people. Christians are taught to be responsible and compassionate towards other people throughout their lives. To do this they must respond to the world we live in today. Even though the bible teaches us to treat all people as equals, our world is still divided. There are poor people, there are people that live in absolute poverty, and Christians are taught to do all they can to help this. Any wealth they have they might acquire, should be shared with those less fortunate than themselves. Christians must put bible teachings, and their faith into practice. There are so many teachings in the bible that show a Christian their responsibilities. Even if they are not expressed directly, a Christian should realise what is right to do from following other teachings in the bible and the example that Jesus set in the way he lived his life. He taught to "Love thy Neighbour" and he did so himself. Following this you would do no wrong any person, in any way. It is one of the many responsibilities that Christians undertake. "Do unto others, as you will be done by". Some call this Matthew's golden rule. Christians must follow this, in order to make all men equal. Unfortunately this does not always happen, because there are those people in the world, people that might not be Christians that think they are more

  • Word count: 716
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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How should authorities handle protest groups of up to 100,000 protesters?

How should authorities handle protest groups of up to 100,000 protesters? This essay is going to look into anti globalization and police brutality within such demonstrations. First what do we mean by anti-globalization? Anti-globalization is the umbrella term for a group of people protesting for different causes, things including environmentalism or animal rights even things like third world debt. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1305000/1305103.stm 27 September 2001) Authorities in many European nations have been accused of heavy handedness in dealing with these protesters, this essay will look at the kinds of accusations been made by protesters and outcomes of the allegations, it will include public witnesses statements and overall outcomes. There are so many demonstrations going on around us its going to be hard to talk about them all so I will focus on just a few so that it will make clear the kinds of allegations being made. It's July 2001, here in the UK the protest group known as the Critical Mass, a cycle group which campaigns for better public transport and an end to the car, are preparing for their monthly cycle. They basically ride around city centers on their bikes. A few hundred people normally turn up each month to generally irritate British drivers in attempt to get more people to do the same. (www.critical-mass.org. 1st October 2001) However

  • Word count: 1592
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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A02: Using the examples - abortion; euthanasia; - explain how Christians would respond to the above issues. In your answer you should refer to different attitudes that Christians have to these issues as well as to the practical ways that Christians might

AO2 - Lifestyle Using the examples - abortion; euthanasia; - explain how Christians would respond to the above issues. In your answer you should refer to different attitudes that Christians have to these issues as well as to the practical ways that Christians might offer support. The majority of Christians would be against abortion and euthanasia, but there are some Christians who will have different opinions. Christians believe that life is sacred, and it is their duty to protect it, no matter ho vulnerable. Some Christians will react in different ways to abortion and euthanasia issues. Relativist Christians would be those who say that morals can change. They are pro-life and are also pro-choice, so they feel that anyone can have the decision to do what they want. They will feel that it is entirely up to the mother in cases of abortion, as it is her body, and up to the person who is terminally ill to decide whether their life should be taken. On the other hand, absolutists, who are also pro-life, would say that taking the life of anyone is wrong and this moral ideal could not be changed in any circumstances. For example, take St. Thomas Aquinas, who was an absolutist theologian. He theorised that God was the first cause of the start of life, the creator, so out journey through life must start with God, and end when God wants it to. This idea would be desecrated if people

  • Word count: 807
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Violence in Tom and Jerry

Violence in Tom and Jerry Dan Brookes Media Coursework Some cartoons are renowned for violence that can sometimes be shocking but also involving a sense of humor. For example the cartoon "Tom and Jerry" has some violent scenes in it but these scenes become funny due to the music and visual effects that are involved in the cartoon. Many people have argued that cartoons like "Tom and Jerry" have influential scenes of violence that are inappropriate and shocking. I will be explaining my views on the above subjects. The violence in "Tom and Jerry" is in my opinion not shocking and I find it interesting to watch. Violence is what makes up "Tom and Jerry", this is mild violence and it is important to note that there is no verbal communication. Music has replaced this and runs fluently through the cartoon. I think this reduces the amount of violence because the viewers have to make up their own idea of what Tom or Jerry are thinking. At the end of "Tom and Jerry" there is often a moral involved in the story, this makes the violence less serious and often at the end Tom and Jerry become friends. The violence is more typical because you can often predict what is going to happen next, this involves the viewer a lot more. The violence is not likely to influence a young child as it is very unrealistic and Tom and Jerry are always fine after they have just been badly hurt. If we

  • Word count: 515
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Who achieved more in the battle against the Christians? Zengi or Nur ed-Din?

Who achieved more in the battle against the Christians? Zengi or Nur ed-Din? To answer this question we must first understand what the question actually means. Does it mean who won the most land off the Christians? Or who was the psychological winner? Who was the won who made the Crusader states crumble? Who made it possible for Saladin to destroy the Crusaders? I am going to assume that it is not who won the most Christian land, but who had the greatest impact upon the Franks. Zengi, its true, did win the most land against the Franks, for was able to capture Edessa in Christmas Eve 1144, and Nur ed-Din did not actually capture anything that the Christians already owned. What Nur ed-Din did manage to achieve was that he got Damascus (a close ally of the Franks) and Egypt were the Franks were very prominent in. In the battle against the Christians Zengi would be the most obvious answer to say that he was the one who achieved everything, for without Zengi Nur ed-Din would not have had a platform with which to attack Edessa, Damascus and Egypt. Zengi was the one who first preached Jihad; he was the one who first started to unite the Muslims against the Franks, and he was the one who gave Nur ed-Din the captured cities of Aleppo and Edessa. It was Zengi, and without Zengi who knows what Nur ed-Din would have achieved. He might have been a historical nobody, just like his

  • Word count: 979
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Ought The UK and The USA attack Iraq?

Ought The UK and The USA attack Iraq? I think that the UK and USA should not attack Iraq, at least not on their own. If they were to get the full support of the UN, then possibly an attack of some form should be fought against Iraq, however a full-scale invasion may not be the answer. In the light of experience, there can hardly be any doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime represents a threat to the Middle East region in the medium to long term. On the evidence available it represents no immediate threat. If this is correct, there is no case for military action in the near future: there are several courses of action that can be adopted short of war, and on moral and other grounds, war should be a last resort. Invasion of Iraq would involve the killing of large numbers of innocent Iraqi civilians, as well as large numbers of soldiers on both sides. This alone is sufficient reason not to invade. Such killing will intensify existing animosities towards US influence in the Middle East, thus increasing the number of enemies of the US and also the probability of future acts of terrorism against the US, UK and its allies. An invasion would force the countries of the region to take sides, producing regional destabilization and threatening world energy, particularly oil, supplies. A long-term allied occupation of Iraq could face serious resistance, leading to more deaths on both sides.

  • Word count: 1084
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Argument Construction - Terrorism

ARGUMENT CONSTRUCTION Terrorism is a political tactic usually employed by those with relatively few resources compared to there chosen advisories, designed to accomplish certain discreet objectives on the cheap. The definition of terrorism can be put forth as "an act of violence and intimidations to achieve political aims". This definition makes you think that is it worth the governments while to negotiate with terrorists or not? Trying to negotiate with someone (terrorists) that threatens you is a very difficult task to overcome; it involves a lot of patients and toleration. This is exactly what our government has been doing, it has been patient and has been tolerating the treats from the terrorists but how long can the government stay silent for. The terrorists have been made offers so a war can be prevented by letting UN weapon inspectors into Iraq and letting them check the sites which they think mite be used to make weapons of mass destruction, these offers have been rejected or have conditions put on them by Saddam Hussein. This puts Saddam Hussein under even more suspicion. Also knowing that under Saddam Hussein Iraq developed chemical and biological weapons, acquired missiles allowing it to attack neighboring countries with these weapons and Iraq persistently tried to develop nuclear bomb. Saddam Hussein has used chemical weapons both against Iran and his own

  • Word count: 636
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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IB Commentary: Killed at Resaca

IB Commentary: Killed at Resaca The intention of this text is to inform and reveal to the reader the trials and tribulations of the two main characters. The writing is in a journalistic fashion wherein the inner thoughts and feelings of two characters are openly expressed. This gives the reader a wider context for interpretation. Both characters seem to be separated lovers. One is surrounded by violence in her home country of Haiti, and the other is escaping the country by boat. A young woman that has the bold part is scared to leave her home due to violence occurring outside. On the other hand, her boyfriend's thoughts are expressed in the normal font, and he shares with the reader how he is wanted by the police and how he is fleeing until the violence dissipates. Both him and his lover long to meet again. From the very first paragraph a fearful and serious tone is established by the young woman trapped in Haiti, and she describes the pain that she endures without her boyfriend. She states that she cannot go outside even to breathe air, which is indicative of her fear and oppression, which is further exemplified by the fact she doesn't want to be seen by the enemy. She is unable to enjoy life and thus leads bleak, uncertain days that are filled with constant violence. The atmosphere is created by Edwidge Danicat's use of diction, and the use of words such as 'Vultures',

  • Word count: 960
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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The family is often described as 'A Haven in a Heartless World'. Discuss this statement with reference to Domestic Violence.

The family is often described as 'A Haven in a Heartless World'. Discuss this statement with reference to Domestic Violence. The notion of the family as being a place of sanctuary, a private idyll, where the individual is protected from the pressures of the public aspects of life has been much criticised. Various writers have sought to bring to attention the violent abuse that occurs within families. It is accepted that the majority of incidences of domestic violence are those that involve women being abused by men and this discussion will focus on that particular scenario. However, it is important to recognise that other forms of domestic violence occur. Men, children and the elderly are also abused and the notion of domestic violence is not peculiar to heterosexual relationships. The idea that the family, rather than acting as an institution which functions to protect its members, is, in fact, a powerful tool of ideological patriarchy has been much emphasised by feminist writings. "The value system of male supremacist society holds the family to be inviolable..." (Ward, 1997 in O'Toole and Schiffman, 1997. Page 479). Millett (1970), further describes the family as being a patriarchal component contained within a patriarchal whole (society). This analysis by Millett (1970) is important as she refers to the family as being an important link between the individual and the

  • Word count: 2003
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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