Prehistoric man went to the movies, say researchers

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 6/29/10 | AFP

[NormsRevenge]

VIENNA (AFP) – Prehistoric man enjoyed a primitive version of cinema, according to Austrian and British researchers, who are currently seeking to recreate these ancient visual displays.

Rock engravings from the Copper Age found all over Europe in remote, hidden locations, indicate the artwork was more than mere images, researchers from Cambridge University and Sankt Poelten's university of applied sciences (FH) in Austria believe.

"The cliff engravings... in our opinion are not just pictures but are part of an audiovisual performance," Frederick Baker of Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology said in a statement Tuesday.

"There was still no moving image but (the pictures) created sequences like in animation... this was not just a treat for the eyes but also for the ears, as these rock engravings are especially found in locations with particular echoes.

"In this sense, the rock engravings are not just static images but pictures that created a story in the mind of the viewer -- just like at the cinema," said Baker.

Cambridge University and FH Sankt Poelten have now launched a "Prehistoric Picture Project" with Weimar's Bauhaus university in Germany to recreate these films, using computer technology to establish the sequence of images and animate them like in a cartoon.

The "movies," dating back to 4000 to 1000 BC, often depict fights, dances or hunts, but interestingly never show death and rarely portray women, the project's coordinators said.

[SunkenCiv]

The Ogscars?

[SunkenCiv]

He just wanted to find a doll that could talk.

[SunkenCiv]

The first one to figure that one out must have been the target of jealousy. :’)

[JoeProBono]

[GeronL]

lol

maybe just the scars?

heh

[SunkenCiv]

• Cave Exploration Pictures, Cave Photos, Gallery, Wallpaper -- National Geographic

[SunkenCiv]

Tusk, tusk.

[SunkenCiv]

The only ventriloquist I’ve ever enjoyed — until that “I keel you” guy, and that guy who won on “America’s Got Talent”. :’)

[GeronL]

lol

[fieldmarshaldj]

“I am Hennifer Lopez and I want to geev you taco-flavored kishes.”

[thecodont]

Steely Dan, The Caves of Altamira

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBCa9WPHlWI

[JoeProBono]

[wildbill]

Pretty fair flick: audience full of bare boobies, sabretooth fu, cave bear fu, fire-building fu, get-down boogie, Sophia Loren worship.

Joe Bob Briggs says check it out.

[a fool in paradise]

In all seriousness why would someone take the time to carve something on a rock if it didn’t mean anything?

Prison walls are full of "cave drawings".

[a fool in paradise]

I may not know what a moo goo gai pan is (hold the pan) but I can understand a picture of it.

[a fool in paradise]

I wonder if they gave away wooden totems to the best actor and for best cave art?

Yes, there is rare historical footage of a critic in ancient times. Mel Brooks included it in his film The History Of The World Part I.

[Little Bill]

Never been in prison but a pal of mine was maintenance boss at one, Most of the cave drawings there had meaning.

[SunkenCiv]

additional:

"Rider from the Ice Age" at Foppe di Nadro in Valcarmonica, Lombardy, Italy. Credit: Hamish Park, Prehistoric Picture Project 2009

"Deer from the Ice Age" at Foppe di Nadro in Valcarmonica, Lombardy, Italy. Credit: Hamish Park, Prehistoric Picture Project 2009