Genealogies. Landscapes, settlements, architectures, things, times.

Relationships of descent. One of the major ways humans have of organizing their world is through genealogy or relations of descent. In theogonies, or tales of the origin of gods, or in legendary lists of human offspring relations of descent and the association of characteristics, territories, and spheres of influence with descendants provide a means of mapping the cosmos and the human world. In traditions concerning animals and plants, relations of descent are most prominent in myths of human origin and in totemic materials.