Question

The idea of Paleolithic humans giving a tangible visible representation to intangible symbolic imagery they were “seeing” in their heads through altered states of consciousness (visions, dreams, hallucinations, trance). We have a better understanding of our brain’s visual mechanics in our own time but we as humans still routinely tap into altered states of consciousness, whether it’s through daydreaming, roleplaying (ex. Cosplay) meditation, dance, substance use, or escapism into virtual worlds such as video games, movies, music, art, social media.

-WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE APPEAL OF AN ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS FOR US AS HUMANS?

-If you find yourself wanting to “unplug” from reality in an altered state, what feeling are you after and is there a visual component to it?

-How can we relate our own state of altered consciousness in modern times, back to the Paleolithic humans and their interest in recording visions they saw in their heads on the walls of caves?

Answer 1

For us as the human being an altered state of consciousness played an important role in our intellectual and mental development. It is a widely accepted fact that altered consciousness is directly related to enhanced artistic and intellectual abilities. That is why most of the famous artist and musicians like Picasso, Salvador Dali, Leonardo da Vinci, Mozart, and many others. From the ancient time, human beings were inspired and fascinated with the altered unconscious state. That is why they wanted to attain this state of mind with different methods like meditation, dance, substance use, or escapism into virtual worlds such as art and music.

About 35000 years ago human being started to draw and create images on the walls of caves.

Many scientists who study on the consciousness of human suggest that prehistoric artist were under the effect of powerful hallucinations while they were making cave arts.they were nailing their visions in the walls of caves.