The word "atavistic" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which refers to something that is a reversion to an earlier type or behavior, such as ancestral or primitive characteristics. For example, you can say: "The tribal dance was seen as an atavistic ritual".
History – fortunately – does not necessarily move in straight lines, and, specifically, the Rite's atavistic primitivism was rarely emulated by major creative figures as the 20th century evolved – or, indeed, by its composer himself.
From those prehistoric times comes that atavistic distaste for homosexuality, wrapped in religion.
In their case, it is not so much naive devotion to the UN that motivates them, but atavistic anti-Americanism (Suez is not forgotten), long-standing sympathy for conservative Arabs and distaste combined with envy for what they see as Mr Blair's grandstanding with the American president.
Europhiles admit that nation-states still exert a certain atavistic hold over the imaginations of ordinary Europeans.
In the east it dwells on more atavistic grievances: ethnic minorities, old territorial disputes, homosexuals, international financiers and, naturally, Jews.
The sight of one in a field can be enough to rekindle atavistic affections that lie deep within.
Russian tourists are often shockingly messy, perhaps because of an atavistic sense that there is always more land to move on to.
By the early 20th century it had become a place of almost atavistic longing.
But there may be a more atavistic reason.
Italy's atavistic protectionism and disdain for freer markets both play a large part in holding back its economy and will not necessarily change even if its government does.
Woodrow Wilson sold the war as a crusade to make the world "safe for democracy", but post-war Europe reverted to atavistic hatreds and nationalism.
