Creating graphic symbols apparently is one of the oldest activities of the human race.
I've been reading and video-watching about early human symbols left behind on cave walls all around the world by ancient people (very ancient --before recorded history!)
Many of these symbols are categorized as "Entoptic" meaning originating within the eye itself through experiences that include use of psychedelic drugs used in shamanistic rituals*.
I first heard about these symbols in this video TED talk by Genevieve Von Petzinger:
And I'm also reading about her research in her book The First Signs that I've borrowed from my local Public Library:
So far, it has been fascinating to learn how hard-wired humans are to create symbols. As a Graphic Artist, I have great satisfaction that my vocation has such ancient connections.
*Other factors that might induce Entoptic symbols within the signals to the brain from the eyes include sensory deprivation-caused trance states. Caves would be good sensory deprivation environments due to providing total blockage of light and (for the most part) sound.
UPDATE: See another video below that describes cave art that was likely made by Neanderthals.
A Link to another article below that discusses the importance of humans being able to manipulate symbols and concepts for survival:
The Deficient Animal https://t.co/X4ZFFA84Tp via @Pocket— O. Douglas Jennings (@odouglasj) April 30, 2020
More examples of ancient graphic art!
At least 45,500 years old, the world’s oldest-known cave painting is found in Indonesia – and it's a giant wild pig https://t.co/bfo9v2DTwd pic.twitter.com/WwbaFN2xoH
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 14, 2021
Kangaroo painted over 17,000 years ago is Australia's oldest known rock art, scientists say https://t.co/pSZge5Y1g8 via @CNNStyle
— O. Douglas Jennings (@odouglasj) February 24, 2021
Wow! See this 3000 y.o. Animation Sequence below!
The oldest animation created by man 3.000 BC. Discovered in Burnt city, modern-day Iran. pic.twitter.com/mdtGBM6oKD
— Archaeology & Art (@archaeologyart) April 22, 2022
More Early Art in the Americas:Cave paintings of La Cueva de los Manos (Cave of the Hands), in Santa Cruz Argentina. A series of caves includes more than 800 handprints in black, white, red and ochre that were put there between 13 000 and 9000 years ago... pic.twitter.com/POneXolUjt
— Darrell Epp (@DarrellEpp) April 27, 2021
In 1991, archaeologists made an unprecedented discovery in a remote region of Brazil - a massive collection of prehistoric rock art spanning over 8 miles within the Serra da Capivara mountains. Carbon dating revealed the drawings dated back approximately 12,600 years, offering a… pic.twitter.com/yWzLPbzzZl
— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) November 4, 2023
The world's first written language is found globally and is tens of thousands of years old.
The implication here is that either completely divergent populations made up identical symbols or this system goes back to before these populations diverged - at least 45,000 years ago. pic.twitter.com/MwfUvZjKlO
— Bruce R. Fenton (@GeologicalSETI) September 21, 2025
The world's first written language is found globally and is tens of thousands of years old.
The implication here is that either completely divergent populations made up identical symbols or this system goes back to before these populations diverged - at least 45,000 years ago. pic.twitter.com/MwfUvZjKlO
Make your own designs inspired by the earliest human graphic artists:
 |
| © O. Douglas Jennings. For personal or classroom use only. |
No comments:
Post a Comment