I forgot to mention that for prehistoric and oral-only cultures, we cannot definitively determine whether formal marriage existed in the way we understand it today, if not at all.
While there are archaeological findings, such as burials of individuals who appear to be buried together, the interpretation of these findings is speculative. We cannot be sure if these individuals were buried together due to a marital bond, familial relationship (like parents or siblings), or for other social or ritualistic reasons. The concept of marriage as a formal contract or religious ritual, as we understand it today, may not have been present in these early societies.
Therefore, my Assertion that “Marriage originated as a social contract rather than a purely religious ritual” is well grounded with evidence, both historical and archaeological.