Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California

Abstract

The combination of ethnographic and cognitive neuroscience research provides considerable insight into the origin and symbolism of Native Californian rock art. Although made by different social groups for different purposes in various parts of the state, the ethnographic record demonstrates that the art depicts the mental imagery and somatic hallucinations of trance, taken to represent supernatural experiences. When this art is viewed from a cognitive neuroscience perspective, it suggests that the shamanistic state of consciousness was far from primarily "ecstatic," instead often involving the generation of unpleasant emotions; and that biochemical changes during trance necessitated the making of rock art if the memory of these supernatural experiences was to be preserved.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Shamanism ?Unclear

  Argues that Native Californian rock art depicts trance-induced mental imagery and somatic hallucinations, that the shamanistic state often generated unpleasant emotions, and that biochemical changes during trance motivated making rock art to preserve memories of supernatural experiences.

  Synthesized October 25, 2026

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on shamanism, most cited first.