It is likely that in primitive cultures, the deities were most likely seen as unpredictable, impulsive, but powerful beings. Morality is a much more complex idea.

This is interesting. Consider that the Germanic tribes of Northern Europe were originally not complex societies and yet they had Woden, Thor, et. al. And at the same time, the Roman Empire was flourishing and they had their own parallel constellation of gods and goddesses. Apparently no “Big God” was needed for the formation of a complex society in that case. Then there was early Greek civilization where there was no “Big God”.

Maybe it’s the other way around. Complex societies arise first, and later their religions evolve into something more sophisticated, enabled by specialization and the economy of scale.

Perhaps with the continuing advancement of societies that we see today, ever more sophisticated religions are being developed. I’m thinking of New Thought religions and the proliferation of spirituality.

Great post. I consider myself a archaeology enthusiast. I read this text, I will find the name, that.discussed various religions and their concept of the afterlife. The text noted that the push towards a punitive afterlife (hell) originated around the push towards a more universal religion, i.e. the conquering types, Judaism, etc. God is simply a reflection of what people wish to impose on others. An excuse to push their agendas under the guise of god, for example that BS manifest destiny drivel.

Archaeology clearly shows how oracles/preachers claimed access to a deity and by extension elevated themselves in the process. Or as this church marquee indicates from a old Richard Pryor movie.

Its clear to me. When we got 'material rich' enough to release certain groups from the constant production of food. These people spent time thinking and it was this class (the priest/healer) who learned to interpret the world.

"When did big moralistic gods enter the scene?."

Maybe the entrance of big moralistic gods had to do with the introduction of local deities by war into new subjugated communities, as a new stabilizing ideology. I think war was the driving force behind the transformation of local god into the big time, for example how the Romans adopted several gods from Greece.

The first million population communities were in Egypt around 100 BC and then Rome in 1 AD (I didn't see any other this early).

I don't think most people today have much understanding of animism / spirit worship / ancestor worship.

It was a different beast from monotheism or even polytheism. Even getting away from the "one true god" mindset of monotheism is difficult for people today.

But it was religion just the same. It just lacked the moral regime of more elaborate religious ideologies. It didn't constrain behavior beyond placating and respecting your ancestors and nature. If Jane's bicameral mind hypothesis was correct, it also was a different way of relating to your own subconscious. In that scenario the "morphing" may have been at least in part an epigenetic shift.