The mind in the cave

by Lewis-Williams, J. David

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Title Statements

Full title :The mind in the cave / David Lewis-Williams.

Summary

"The Mind in the Cave puts forward the most convincing explanation yet proposed for the origins of image-making and art. The Neanderthals, our nearest ancient relatives, lived alongside our Cro-Magnon ancestors for over 10,000 years, borrowing stone tool technology but never developing art - how could this be? The answer, David Lewis-Williams shows, lies in the evolution of the human mind. Cro-Magnons, unlike the Neanderthals, possessed a higher-order consciousness and a more advanced neurological make-up which enabled them to experience shamanistic trances and vivid mental imagery. Entry into the ancient caves would have been seen as virtually indistinguishable from entry into the mental vortex that leads to the hallucinations of deep trance. It became important for people to 'fix', or paint, these images on to cave walls, which they perceived as the membrane between their world and the spirit world from which the visions came. Over time, new social distinctions developed as individuals exploited their hallucinations for personal advancement, and the first truly modern society emerged."--Jacket.

Edition Statements

Publication Date:2004.

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):Thames & Hudson
Place of Publication:London
Language:eng
Publication Date:2004.

Notes

Originally published: 2002.

The Physical Object

Description:320 pages : : illustrations (some color) ; : 24 cm

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:0500284652, 9780500284650
oclc:ocm59277877
LC Classification:N5310 .L55 2004
Dewey Decimal:759.0113

Subjects

Art Art and anthropology Art et anthropologie Art préhistorique Art premier Art, Prehistoric Cave paintings Cave paintings -- History -- To 1500 History To 1500