Why did early humans draw on cave walls?

Asked 15-Sep-2022
Viewed 574 times

1 Answer


0

Cave paintings are some of the oldest and most mysterious pieces of human art. For centuries, people have wondered why our ancestors felt the need to decorate the dark, dank walls of caves. Was it simply a case of early humans expressing their creative side? Or was there a more practical reason behind it? 

Why did early humans draw on cave walls?

Why did early humans draw on cave walls?

This is a question that has baffled historians and archaeologists for years. There are many theories as to why early humans may have drawn on cave walls, but the most likely explanation is that they were trying to communicate with the spirits of their ancestors.

Drawings on cave walls are some of the oldest recorded human artifacts, and they provide a fascinating glimpse into the minds of our ancestors. The fact that these drawings have been preserved for thousands of years is a testament to their importance to early humans.

Some of the most famous cave drawings are those found in the Lascaux Cave in France. These drawings, which date back to around 15,000 BCE, depict animals and hunting scenes. It is thought that they were created by the Cro-Magnon people, who were the first modern humans to settle in Europe.

The Lascaux cave drawings are an example of how early humans were able to communicate their thoughts and feelings through art. These drawings tell us a lot about the Cro-Magnon people and their culture.

  • One theory suggests that cave paintings were used as a form of communication. Early humans may have used them to tell stories or relay information about hunting grounds and other important places. 
  • Another theory suggests that early humans were trying to record their daily lives and the world around them. This is supported by the fact that many early cave drawings depict scenes of everyday life, such as hunting and gathering.
  • Another possibility is that cave painting were used as a way to ward off evil spirits. It's possible that our ancestors believed that the paintings would keep away any dangerous creatures that might enter the caves. By communicating with these spirits, they were able to learn important information about the world around them. Whatever the reason behind cave paintings, one thing is certain: they offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our earliest ancestors.

This theory is supported by the fact that many of the cave drawings depict animals and hunting scenes. It is likely that the Cro-Magnon people believed that the spirits of their ancestors were present in the animals they hunted.

The cave drawings at Lascaux are just one example of how early humans used art to communicate with the spirit world. There are many other examples of cave art all over the world.

One thing is certain, however. Early humans did not draw on cave walls simply because they were bored. There must have been some purpose behind these cave drawings.