Early Civilization

Falling Bison (15000BC)

This cave painting found near Altamira, Spain, is known as the "Falling Bison". The detail and knowledge of anatomy draws us to believe that these paintings may have been for the purpose of increasing animal fertility rather than success in the hunt as was orignally thought. At that time, animal populations may have been waning due to the warming of the European lands after the last Ice Age. "Creating" an animal in this way, the artist may have drawn details thought to be important. The paintings have been preserved since they are concealed deep in the "bowels" of the earth, perhaps by design as part of a magic ritual. [NS] {HJ}