<P> A deity--god or goddess--is typically conceptualized as a supernatural or divine concept manifesting in various ideas and knowledge, in a form that combines excellence in some aspects, wrestling with weakness and questions in other aspects, heroic in their outlook and actions, yet tied up with emotions and desires . </P> <P> In other cases, the deity is an inner principle or reality such as the idea of "soul". The Upanishads of Hinduism, for example, characterize Atman (soul, self) as deva (deity), thereby asserting that the deva and eternal supreme principle (Brahman, gender neutral) is part of and within every human being and living creature, that this soul within is spiritual and divine, and to realize self - knowledge is to know the supreme . </P> <P> Scholars infer the probable existence of deities in the prehistoric period from inscriptions and prehistoric arts such as cave drawings, but it is unclear what these sketches and paintings are and why they were made . Some engravings or sketches show animals, hunters or rituals . The Venus of Willendorf, a female figurine found in Europe and dated to about 25,000 BCE has been interpreted as an exemplar of a prehistoric divine feminine . </P> <P> The diverse African cultures developed sophisticated theology and concepts of deities over their history . In Nigeria and neighboring West African countries, for example, two prominent deities (locally called Òrìṣà) are found in the Yoruba religion, namely the god Ogun and the goddess Osun . Both are complex deities . Ogun is the primordial masculine deity as well as the archdivinity and guardian of the trades such as tools making and use, metal working, hunting, warriors, protector, equity and justice . Osun is an equally powerful primordial feminine deity and a multidimensional guardian of fertility, water, maternal, health, social relations, love and peace . Ogun and Osun deity traditions were brought into North and South America with slave ships . They were preserved by the African people in their plantation communities, and their festivals continue to be observed in the modern era . </P>

What does the depiction of deities tell us about the most ancient religions