The Evolution of Physical Education: Physical Culture in Primitive Society

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to conduct a theoretical analysis of the historical prerequisites for the emergence and formation of physical culture in the era of primitiveness, as well as systematize the main scientific theories of its origin. The study is aimed at identifying the features of human motor activity in the pre-literate period and establishing relationships between the evolution of the social structure and the development of physical exercises. The focus of the scientific analysis is on the methodological problems of studying primitive history, the transformation of the functions of physical education during the transition from matriarchy to patriarchy, as well as a multidisciplinary understanding of the genesis of physical culture. Research methods: historical-logical and systemic analysis, the method of theoretical generalization and systematization, the comparative-historical method, interdisciplinary synthesis (at the intersection of history, anthropology, cultural studies), analysis of professional scientific literature. Research results. The specifics of scientific reflection on the history of physical culture of primitiveness are determined, which is complicated by the lack of direct written sources and requires a complex analysis of material remains and ethnographic data. The evolution of physical exercises and games is traced: from the period of early matriarchy, where the high physical fitness of women was the key to the survival of the collective, to the era of patriarchy and the agrarian revolution, which led to a change in the nature of labor, the emergence of specialized military training for men and the institution of initiations. The key theories of the emergence of physical culture are systematized and characterized: biological (physical activity as a mechanism of evolutionary adaptation and survival), game (J. Geisinga's concept of the game as a primary form of culture), socio-cultural (the dependence of physical education on social and economic conditions) and ritual (the sacred roots of competitions and exercises). It is substantiated that modern physical culture is the result of the integration of utilitarian, game, social and sacred practices of the past. Conclusions. It has been established that the genesis of physical culture in the era of primitiveness is a complex syncretic process, which was determined by the biological needs of survival and the socio-economic evolution of society from matriarchy to patriarchy. Analysis of the main theories of origin (biological, game, socio-cultural and ritual) proves that primitive motor activity was transformed from instinctive actions and game forms to sacralized rituals and a system of military-applied training. Physical education in the pre-literate period acted as a fundamental factor in socialization, life support of the collective and the formation of human culture in general. Further research should be aimed at an in-depth interdisciplinary synthesis of historical-archeological and psychological-anthropological data for a detailed reconstruction of archaic forms of physical exercises.