I want to know what were the steps by which men passed from barbarism to civilization--Voltaire

Throughout the inhabited world, in all times, and under every circumstance, the myths of man have flourished; and they have been the living inspiration of whatever else may have appeared out of the activities of the human body and mind...--Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces

We have not met our forgotten ancestors, but we begin to sense their presence in the dark. We recognize their shadows here and there. They were once as real as we are. We would not be here if not for them. Our natures and theirs are indissolubly linked despite the aeons that may separate us. The key to who we are is waiting in those shadows.--Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors