The migrations of early culture A study of the significance of the geographical distribution of the practice of mummification as evidence of the migrations of peoples and the spread of certain customs and beliefs

"The Migrations of Early Culture" by Grafton Elliot Smith is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the spread of cultural practices, particularly focusing on the geographical distribution of mummification and its implications for understanding ancient human migrations and interactions. The author argues for a more interconnected view of early cultures, suggesting that the transference of customs and beliefs occurred similarly to contemporary cultural exchanges. At the start of the text, Grafton Elliot Smith outlines the motivation behind his study, explaining that his initial intention was to compile evidence for a scientific society regarding the diffusion of knowledge and culture across ancient civilizations. He emphasizes that significant evidence indicates a common origin and migration paths for cultural practices and customs, especially related to mummification and megalithic structures. Smith also critiques current anthropological explanations, advocating for a nuanced understanding of the historical connections among diverse peoples based on shared practices rather than isolated development. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Grafton Elliot Smith was an Australian-British anatomist, Egyptologist and a proponent of the hyperdiffusionist view of prehistory. He believed in the idea that cultural innovations occur only once and that they spread geographically. Based on this, he traced the origins of many cultural and traditional practices across the world, including the New World, to ideas that he believed came from Egypt and in some instances from Asia. An expert on brain anatomy, he was one of the first to study Egyptian mummies using radiological techniques. He took an interest in extinct humanoids and was embroiled in controversy over the authenticity of the Piltdown Man.