1. The religions often described the afterlife as very similar to daily life in this world. Burying clothes, possessions, and food and drink with the dead, or giving offerings of food and drink at the grave after burial, was a common practice. What was the purpose or purposes of these practices? Is it just about making sure the dead have their needs met, or something more?

2. Ancient cultures had different ideas about the relationship between the physical body of a human being and the spiritual aspects that survived the death of the body. In most cases, it was understood that the spirit, or some part of the spirit, stayed near the body for some time after death. Can you think of a way to explain why this belief would be common? Consider, in your answer, the range of perspectives used in religious studies: the meaning of religious or spiritual beliefs, their psychological functions, and their social or political functions.