Final answer:
The burial of the dead with objects and the creation of symbolic imagery and Venus figurines are key clues suggesting that Homo erectus may have had ritual or religious beliefs, possibly reflecting concepts of an afterlife, safety, or fertility.
Step-by-step explanation:
A key clue in the fossil record suggesting that Homo erectus may have had some form of ritual or religious beliefs is found in the practice of burying the dead with various objects. Around fifty thousand years ago, human communities were burying the dead with items such as stone tools, shells, and animal bones. This suggests a belief in an afterlife or a world beyond the physical one.
Additionally, the creation and use of symbolic imagery and artifacts, like the painted walls of the Chauvet cave which depict animals and abstract symbols, indicate that these early humans engaged in activities that went beyond mere survival. These symbols could reflect a belief system that may have been connected to ensuring safety or success in hunting. The presence of Venus figurines also hints at concepts of fertility or motherhood, and they might have been considered to have magical properties.
Although direct evidence of such practices specifically from Homo erectus is limited, the use of fire and the care given to the sick and elderly among them provide ancillary evidence that they could have engaged in complex social behaviors, which could include rituals and perhaps early forms of religious expression.