Some culturally significant material objects qualify as cognitive artifacts – objects supporting cognitive performance. While this simple point has already been recognized, the literature lacks a thorough investigation into the relation of cognitive artifacts to established theories of Cognitive and Evolutionary Sciences of Religion. We address this gap by examining the impact of cognitive artifacts on the content and spread of representations as well as dynamics of rituals across various time scales. First, we review previous research on cognitive artifacts and outline their functions in culturally established practices. Second, using the adaptive systems approach, we analyze the contribution of cognitive artifacts to various mechanisms involved in the evolution of beliefs and practices: 1) transmission of representations, 2) development and fine-tuning of theological correctness, 3) costly signaling, and 4) social consolidation through rituals. This study aims to open new avenues for exploring the interactions between material culture, the mind, and cultural evolution.
