The Role of Trance in the Creation of Rock Art Images
Margaret Bullen
Rock Art Research November 1, 2010 DOI: 10.69978/rar.v27i2.58 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that the 'Three Stages of Trance' paradigm is invalid, including the reasoning chain in which geometric motifs are equated with entoptic imagery, which is equated with the first stage of trance and thus taken to indicate shamanism. Contends that new approaches to consciousness and brain activity are replacing outdated models and enabling new ways of conceptualizing the origins of art. |
Abstract
The ‘Three Stages of Trance’ has become a leitmotif in discussions on the origin of rock art imagery. Here I challenge the validity of this paradigm including the algorithm that has developed whereby geometric motifs equate to entoptic imagery that equates to first stage of trance and therefore indicates shamanism. New approaches to the study of consciousness and brain activity are changing out-dated models and allowing new ways of conceptualising the beginnings of art.