1. From a historical point of view, human culture consists of three layers:

• a deep substratum that we all share, originating from man's former existence in the animal kingdom;

• a second layer that again is shared by all people, but that is distinctly human;

• and a top layer that is different for each individual culture.

2. The existence of universal archetypes (such as the many parallels in magic, myths and religions all over the world) indicates, that modern man first existed for some time as a local species, before spreading over the world. During this period as a local species, the above mentioned second layer of man’s culture was formed. When man finally spread out over the world, he took it with him. The different experiences of the scattered groups of men resulted in the differentiated third layer.
    

3. A culture will be more beneficial to a group when its internal structure is more aligned. This means a/o that the top layer should as much as possible be in line with the original substratum and the second layer. This is why a study of the older aspects of human culture is so important.
    

4. For a better understanding of the deeper substratum, we must look at the animal world. For the second layer, we should look at the so called "primitive" cultures.
    

5. If we look at the animal kingdom for clues about our heritage, we should look at the right species. We are neither carnivore predators, nor mindless ants. We are indeed a social species (like lions and ants) but also a cultural species. Just as dogs, monkeys and apes, we need time off to play, thereby enriching ourselves and each other with the fruits of culture.
    

6. The importance of studying "primitive" cultures lies in the fact, that these are less cluttered with later, modern additions. As a result, the "second layer" is closer to the surface, easier accessible for analysis.
    

7. In this context, ancient Egypt offers an especially rewarding example of a "primitive" culture, because it combines an essentially "primitive" outlook with a highly developed civilization. In addition to this, it is a culture that existed for 3.000 years: twice as long as our own. Combined, these two characteristics clearly add some weight to whatever conclusions one may reach.
    

8. It is customary to say that western culture was born 2000 years ago. But more accurately, it is now some 1500 years old. It was not before Clovis, king of the Salian Franks, let himself, his court and his army be baptized in the Roman Catholic faith (somewhere around the year 500 AD), that all strands of this culture finally came together.
   The first half millennium of western culture (from the year 500 till the year 1.000), was its truly formative period. During that period, Christianity and the Germanic outlook in life thoroughly influenced one another.
    

9. Culture is a package deal. To reject part of it, is to disturb its internal balance, resulting in unhappiness. This holds true, for individuals as for groups.
    

10. Cultural change can only come about for the carrier of culture: the group. This kind of change however takes a series of lifetimes: for the individual, culture is inescapable. With Time and Space, Culture is – on the personal level – the third fetter of human bondage.