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The shamans of prehistory : trance and magic in the painted caves
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The shamans of prehistory : trance and magic in the painted caves

by Jean Clottes, David Lewis-Williams, Sophie Hawkes

This study examines prehistoric cave art through the lens of shamanism, suggesting that ancient rock paintings depict trance states and rituals. It uses colour illustrations to analyse the symbolic meaning behind these Palaeolithic images.

Accession 12477 ISBN 0810927713 Publisher Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Archaeology Art Belief Communication Culture Drawing Interpretation Painting Psychology Religion Sculpture Social Sciences The Past Writing
CONNECTIONS
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State
on_shelf
True
position_updated_at
2026-06-10 15:54
orientation
vertical
Details

Physical

binding_type
Hard Back
dimensions
none captured
spine_text
none captured

Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
G:N1:11 4 Current vertical
3 hours, 20 minutes ago
Book Location
Updated 3 hours, 20 minutes ago
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Identity

name→ title
The shamans of prehistory : trance and magic in the painted caves
vernon_id
19613
accession_no→ accession_number
12477
vernon_slug
the-shamans-of-prehistory-trance-and-magic-in-the-painted-caves-jean-clottes-and-david-lewis-williams-translated-by-sophie-hawkes

Drives Pulse state

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On Shelf
location_name
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location_reason
On Shelf
isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
0810927713

Descriptive

production_date
1998
object_type
Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication
object_status
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brief_description
The universality of shamanistic power and practice among today's hunter-gatherers - along with the similarity of rock art found in varied sites around the world - has led Jean Clottes and David Lewis-Williams to suggest in this new book that the great art of paleolithic caves can be best understood through the lens of shamanism. Indeed, this is not a monograph on a particular site, but a general discussion of the art of painted caves and their shamanistic meaning. Through the authors' revealing words and the abundant full-colour illustrations, we follow shamans into their trance states, and we watch as they carefully paint and engrave on rock surfaces the shapes of animals whose power they seek. As we learn how drawings and rituals were likely modes of shamanistic contact, we understand best the actions, accomplishments, and traces left behind by prehistoric shamans. -- Dust jacket

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
David Lewis-Williams, Sophie Hawkes, Jean Clottes
tags→ tags
Art, Arts, Religions, Psychology, Religion, Graphic arts, Drawing, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Writing, Language and languages, Communication, Inscriptions, Paleography, Ritual, Worship, Shamanism, Animals in art, Petroglyphs, Trance, Altered states of consciousness, Consciousness, Art, Prehistoric, Cave paintings, Rock paintings, Art, Shamanistic
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Cover image

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Topics and Themes