The Mind in the Cave: Consciousness and the Origins of Art

Why read it

• You will see how states of consciousness, such as visions, may help explain ancient art
• You will learn how researchers use living traditions, like San rock art, to interpret what cannot be asked of the dead
• You will weigh the idea that going deep into a dark cave was itself part of what the images meant

Who it is for

• A reader fascinated by cave paintings and their meaning
• Someone interested in how consciousness and culture are linked
• A visitor planning to see prehistoric art in person

Contents

1. Preface
2. Three Caves: Three Time-Bytes
3. 1 Discovering Human Antiquity
4. 2 Seeking Answers
5. 3 A Creative Illusion
6. 4 The Matter of the Mind
7. 5 Case Study 1: Southern African San Rock Art
8. 6 Case Study 2: North American Rock Art
9. 7 An Origin of Image-Making
10. 8 The Cave in the Mind
11. 9 Cave and Community
12. 10 Cave and Conflict
13. Envoi
14. Bibliography and Guide to Further Reading
15. Sources of Illustrations

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