ABSTRACT
The mythology of people who have lived or are living in less complex societies suggests that death was, or still is, an accidental event; and that if it had not been for this accident humans would be immortal. The various myths and legends focusing on the origin of death discussed in this chapter demonstrate that death was not considered a necessity for the human species. Humankind had already accepted the message of the Big Lizard and death had become part of life. The origin of death in some societies is attributed to animals, in particular the lizard. Although the moon is a better image of death and resurrection than the skin-shedding reptiles who are also known occasionally to die at human hands, the moon is less commonly found in myths than are reptiles. Delayed or garbled message theme centers upon the decision about whether God would allow his creation, humankind, to have immortality or death.
