Thorough research of prehistoric DNA confirmed a theory rather bold of scientists, that the ancestors of the Eskimos came from Asia and not North America. Even if the data about the early Eskimos, called saqqaq are very few, now we can say strongly that they have Asian origins, their DNA is similar to that of ancient populations in eastern Siberia.

“After unveiling the genome of Inuk us could tell that the man had brown eyes, brown hair and a slight tentinta balding. Traces of hair or show that he died young. I found out and he had blood type A +. It is remarkable to know many things about a man 4,000 years ago, moreover, is only the genome of a prehistoric man revealed until now. However, one can indinvid, as well as can not be representative of that extinction culture that existed in Greenland four millennia ago, “said Eske Willerslev, a professor at the Danish University, one of the researchers involved in the project.

Danish scientists success is even greater as the entire study was based on a few human hairs found along with some prehistoric weapons, Disco Bay in Greenland fjord in 1986.

The belief in magic is almost as old as the world itself. In fact its practice can be documented as going back to 50,000 B.C., an amazing 52,000 years ago.

Magic in Prehistoric Times

In the beginning, magic was both revered and feared. Magic was considered another word for supernatural, or the art of sorcery. And sorcery was control of and manipulation of supernatural forces. Naturally this power was called upon to help man achieve a certain goal or gain protection from harm. The means of bringing about the desired result included; acting out the hoped for result, casting spells, chanting and combining so-called “magic” ingredients with the spells and chants.

For example, prehistoric hunters would draw crude images of animals or hunting scenes on the walls of their caves before going on hunting trips. They believed these drawings would come to life while they were gone and ensure that they would have a successful excursion. Of course any perceived magic was not some mystical power, but really all in their minds, the drawings only serving to give them a sense of confidence and the feeling that they had some control over their fate.

Early Magic

Magicians or sorcerers were thought to be able to control natural forces like lightening, rain and thunder, by use of their supernatural abilities. They could summon a violent storm, or cause a massive drought, whip the wind into a frenzy, or calm rough waters. This was why they were both respected and feared throughout the land.

Magic was also an integral part of many religious rituals and celebrations, as believers asked their gods to grant them bountiful harvests, good health and success. They honored their gods at festivals at which magic was often featured, always aware of their power to change the lives of humans at will.

Even kings acknowledged their power and used personal magicians to gain favor with the gods and guarantee victory over enemies, whether in physical battle or a battle of wits. They also used magicians to obtain prosperity for their kingdoms and protection from famine and disease.

The Three Types of Old Magic

There are three basic kinds of old magic, homeopathic, sympathetic and contagious.

Homeopathic: encompasses what the practitioner would like to see happen. A small model of the scene is made and the desired result is acted out, like a small play. Indian rain dances are an example of this. What it boils down to is, it’s an acting out of the person’s hope with the belief that this hope will become a reality.

Sympathetic: this magic uses an object to represent the thing or person whose fate you are trying to control. You perform a certain act upon this object and effect an outcome. Like sticking pins into a voodoo doll.

Contagious magic: takes control of an object thought to be infused with magic or empowered by its owner, thus ultimately gaining the perpetrator control of the owner. A rabbits foot or lucky charm can be such an item.

The Ancient Origins of Modern Magic

Modern magic owes a great debt to the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Chinese, because it is from them that its roots stem. In fact, one of the oldest tricks in magic is known as the Chinese Linking Rings in which several solid metal rings link and unlink themselves. This trick is still in use today. Egyptians carried amulets and magic figures, and observed special magical rites, hoping to protect their crops and families, and keep their Pharaoh happy and healthy.

Along with the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese, the Romans also believed in magic. Magicians even performed in their streets and marketplaces. They also paid visits to priests called Oracles. The Oracles were thought to speak with the gods. They used crystal balls and dream interpretation as well in an attempt to predict the future. But the Roman influence over the subject of magic has been minimal compared to the Egyptians and Chinese.

A man named Dedi entertained the slaves that built the pyramids in Egypt with magic. He is credited with inventing an effect called “The Cups and Balls” in which a ball placed under one of three cups, appears under another and then another. Finally, it vanishes and is replaced by a larger ball. This effect like the Chinese Linking Rings has also withstood the test of time and is still being performed today.

Besides the traditional forms of magic there was also the ancient science of alchemy. The goal of this science was to search for the philosopher’s stone, a magic substance which could turn iron, lead and other metals into gold. Practitioners also sought the elixir of life, a miraculous substance which could cure disease and lengthen life. The Swiss physician Phillip Paracelus and Sir Isaac Newton were two of the many believers in this science. Alchemy is no longer considered to be a legitimate science by modern standards.

Magic and magicians fell out of favor in the fourth century when Christianity became the dominant religion. Christians despised all magicians and considered them devil worshipers. In time they were outlawed.

In the Middle Ages, Europeans believed strongly in magic. While some still condemned it as evil, and thought magicians to be on the same level as witches, wizards and the like, it now had many supporters as well. They credited it with the power to heal, protect, or influence destiny. During this time people also believed you could tell a person’s character by studying their hand, facial features, or even the moles on their skin.

From the 1500’s to the 1700’s, in spite of its detractors and a lessening of interest in some quarters, the popularity of magic remained strong all around the world. Even the highly educated people believed in its power.

Origins of Modern Magic

When you see a magician wearing tails, you’re seeing the legacy of French magician Jean-Eugene Robert Houdin, who was among the first magicians to dress in elegant evening wear for his show.

In Paris, in 1848, Robert Houdin made history with his Soirees Fantastiques (Fantastic Nights). He later rented a large room in London and charged admission to his shows. Houdin was one of the magical pioneers who used electricity and electro-magnetism in his magic shows. He was also the first to present effects that defied gravity. He became known as the Father of Modern Magic, and died in 1871. It is worth noting that during his amazing career he even aided the French government in quelling a rebellion in North Africa by performing an effect using electro-magnetism.

In 1873, an English magician named John Neville Maskelyne entered the magic scene. Along with his colleague, George Cooke, he opened a showroom in Piccadilly, London. The show achieved such enormous success that it played until 1903, when it acquired a new associate named David Devant and moved to St. George’s Hall. Devant later went on to become famous in his own right.

In the middle of the 19th century an attraction named “Pepper’s Ghost” arrived in London. There were several versions of that effect. However, the public was suitably impressed with the magic show, even though they had to pay to see it. They entered a small room where there was a stage with a chair; someone from the audience was chosen, went on stage and sat in the chair. The audience watched breathlessly as they saw the volunteer slowly dissolve into thin air and be replaced by a gorilla. They continued to watch as the gorilla slowly dissolved away and the volunteer appeared once more just as surprised as the rest of the audience.

Magic in the World Today

Modern magicians are a different breed than their predecessors. They’ve become performers — illusionists, mentalists, escape artists and the like, not laying claim to occult powers, but aiming to entertain their audiences on a grand scale.

Milbourne Christopher had the first magic show on national TV. Doug Henning revived magic on TV and create a renewed interest in it. Siegfried and Roy transformed Las Vegas into the home of magic. David Copperfield opted for a flashier look than normally seen on TV and used rock music to thrill his audiences while he presented his magic. David Blaine introduced the element of paranormal phenomena into his tricks, along with amazing feats of physical endurance all the while cultivating a mysterious image.

Although audiences today may be more savvy about how magic is performed, they still flock to see live magic shows or watch them on TV. It’s human nature. As long as the world remains the mysterious place it is, man will always have a deep and abiding interest in magic.

Research Sources:

The History of Magic

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111851/history_of_magic.htm

Magic A Brief History

http://sunniebunniezz.com/magic/magichistory.htm

If we could go back in time and relive a period of our prehistoric ancestors who lived about 1,000,000 years ago, how different would it be ? One thing we do know for sure, it would have been a lot more of a labor intensive type of living compared to our predominantly leisure life we are accustomed to today. A study of ancient history tells us that it was at about this time that fire made its entrance into the simple life of man, at least having the ability to initiate the start of a fire from scratch. Before this period they had to wait for nature to do it for them, such as from lightning or other natural combustion. Soon thereafter and probably by accident, the art of at least partial heating of their meats and possibly fruits and vegetables occurred, probably because it made the food easier to chew, especially for the young children, though history cannot verify this occurrence, but it certainly did happen at some time period after fire was born. Anthropologists have found artifacts of bone remains from early man that show that many in their middle ages did suffer from various forms of arthritic conditions, which some medical professionals today believe is at least partially due to the lower enzyme content derived from the heating or cooking of foods.

Early human diet was also comprised probably of fruits, roots, nuts and vegetables that they found growing wild. Man, at that time did not possess the art of agriculture, therefore they had to be content with what was found growing in the wild. Virtually all protein sources came from meat, though nuts did supply their share. Agriculture and its great lifesaving benefits are supposed to have arrived on the scene in our history at approximately 10,000 BCE. Some experts believe that large scale agriculture took place at about 5,000 BCE.

This period issued a tremendous increase in the nutritional level of the local farmers and inhabitants who had over time obtained the knowledge of growing their own garden born foods. Because the soils were virgin, containing the highest levels of nutrients to support plant growth, there was very little lacking in the foods from the harvest.

What Was The Difference In Their Food ?

First and foremost, the foods that were served had not been processed as we know them today. Daily existence was very simple. The lands where they roamed were unpolluted, totally virgin and were never walked upon by any other human. The water was virtually totally pure and flourished with high mineral content. The water alone could give partial nourishment to the local inhabitants. Those early times were probably as close to the "Garden of Eden" as one could desire.