What did he think then? The first one to think of it. Without any kink of knowledge of biology or understanding of religion or culture yet amalgamated, what did they think? As their heart beat in their chest? What did that noise tell them? What could they know?

Now, me, a modern man, with an incomplete although informed knowledge of biology still hears that prehistoric beat. But to me it is a familiar sound, the circulatory system going about it’s business, nothing to be concerned about. I can even put my hand upon my chest and say, “There, between my lungs and beneath my ribs the exchange of blood continues in that tireless muscle.” But now back to my ancient ancestor, whose name and ways are forgotten to me, but whose echoing heart beat is mirrored in mine. Although there is little I can say for sure I know about my distant shared bloodline, I do know one thing for sure. That my ancestor, be it hunter or first time farmer, had to lay down each night and like myself hear that confident “thump” from within.

There in the darkened silence, lying on forest floor or hearth, without the benefit of science’s prying eye, what could he have thought of that strange sound? And here at rest he must have wondered at how regular a sound it makes, but how easily with temper, tension and stress the sound became strong and fast. How the little drum could shake him from within his chest.