The Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture will offer a series of classes on ancient beliefs before the arrival of modern religions this month and next at the meeting house, 4450 Fieldston Road, corner of Manhattan College Parkway.

The classes, which begin at 7 p.m., will use visual projections of artifacts to help students understand the complexity of these ancient spiritual traditions.

A schedule follows:

• On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the focus is Neolithic religions from 10,000 to 4,000 B.C.E. Topics will include sun cults, fertility rites and a discussion that will delve into the controversy regarding the demise of goddess worship.
• On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the ancient Mesopotamian religion from 4,000 to 2,000 B.C.E. will be examined. This class will focus on the religions of ancient Iraq and the Fertile Crescent up until the time of Abraham. Participants will read from ancient Sumerian myths, learn of Hittite parables, and explore in-depth the religion of the Canaanites.
• On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the topic will be the religion of the Celts, Teutons and Goths. Participants will explore the early "pagan" beliefs of some of the tribes of Europe and how many of their traditions are preserved to this day.

The fee for the course is $3 per class for members, $8 per class for non-members. For additional information, call 718-548-4445.