Why do Petroglyphs and cave art from different continents show similarities? While people would be inspired by their direct surroundings, it is harder to explain the common styles.
This could be a mere coincidence, an indication that certain groups of people migrated widely from some initial common area, or an indication of a common origin. Other theories suggest that petroglyphs were carved by shamans, in an altered state of consciousness, perhaps induced by the use of natural hallucinogens.
Many of the geometric patterns (known as form constants) which recur in petroglyphs and cave paintings have been shown to be hardwired into the human brain. They frequently occur in visual disturbances and hallucinations brought on by drugs, migraine, and other stimuli. Many petroglyphs seem to depict astronauts or weird creatures, some could be painted after using hallucinogenic mushrooms.
One theory uses Jungian psychology and the views of Mircea Eliade and claims the similarity of petroglyphs from different cultures and continents is a result of the genetically inherited structure of the human brain. Some petroglyph held a deep cultural and religious significance or are thought to represent a type of symbolic or ritualistic language or communication style.
FURTHER READING AND SUGGESTED VIDEOS:
The Search for the Tassili Frescoes: the Story of the Pre-historic Rock-paintings of the Sahara by Henri Lhote,
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