African finger ring weapon !

colin henshaw · 26th April 2013, 09:29 AM

Thanks to Tim & Iain for their input on this item. Fascinating to see the same designs appearing independently, both historically and geographically...

josh stout · 26th April 2013, 03:39 PM

I agree, the designs are very interesting. I teach a class in human evolution, and these images can be seen quite often in paleolithic art. One of the current theories to explain the ubiquity of these designs is that they are an intermediate step between abstraction and figurative images seen during shamanic trances. The process has been described by contemporary Siberian shamans and can be found in several traditions. During a trance, random dots first appear which then begin to coalesce, usually in circles and spirals. The dots eventually organize themselves into recognizable forms, usually animal shapes. These forms are seen worldwide and through all time periods where shamanic art is produced. It appears to have something to do with how the brain organizes images while in a trance state.
Here are some examples from Chuvet cave in France circa 32,000BP.
Thanks,
Josh

Iain · 28th April 2013, 09:04 AM

Neat stuff Josh!

Colin, I seem to recall the Turkana used something similar - a small finger knife. A little Googling turned up a nice article on the topic.

http://atkinson-swords.com/collectio...ves-kenya.html

Apparently banned during colonial British rule.

26th April 2013, 03:39 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I agree, the designs are very interesting. I teach a class in human evolution, and these images can be seen quite often in paleolithic art. One of the current theories to explain the ubiquity of these designs is that they are an intermediate step between abstraction and figurative images seen during shamanic trances. The process has been described by contemporary Siberian shamans and can be found in several traditions. During a trance, random dots first appear which then begin to coalesce, usually in circles and spirals. The dots eventually organize themselves into recognizable forms, usually animal shapes. These forms are seen worldwide and through all time periods where shamanic art is produced. It appears to have something to do with how the brain organizes images while in a trance state. Here are some examples from Chuvet cave in France circa 32,000BP. Thanks, Josh Attached Images

26th April 2013, 09:29 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Thanks to Tim & Iain for their input on this item. Fascinating to see the same designs appearing independently, both historically and geographically...

28th April 2013, 09:04 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Neat stuff Josh! Colin, I seem to recall the Turkana used something similar - a small finger knife. A little Googling turned up a nice article on the topic. http://atkinson-swords.com/collectio...ves-kenya.html Apparently banned during colonial British rule.