Asked by: Richard Powell, Leatherhead
We can’t be sure, although the oldest known burial took place about 130,000 years ago. Burying the dead is perhaps the earliest form of religious practice and suggests people were concerned about what happens after death. There’s evidence that Neanderthals buried their dead along with tools and bones.
Read more:
- Could the Black Death happen again?
- What is the current death/birth rate ratio in the world per year?
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
