The study of ancient art, cultural anthropology and ethnology inevitably, and happily, seem to lead to reading about the many creation myths around the world. Of course, most familiar to me is the Kalevala Epic of Finland and a few of the European myths (see Folk Legends and Myths theme).

Binref has posted the beautiful Vedic Hymn of Creation, of which the first two verses are below.

“Neither non-being nor being was as yet,
Neither was airy space nor heavens beyond;
What was enveloped? And where? Sheltered by whom?
And was there water? Bottomless, unfathomed?
Neither was there death nor immortality,
Nor was there any sign then of night or day;
Totally windless, by itself, the One breathed;
Beyond that, indeed, nothing whatever was.”

Do read the rest and admire the lovely original text, too.

Update Aug.24.04 The above link is no longer active, sadly as it was a favourite blog.