Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California
Anthropology of Consciousness March 1, 1998 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1525/ac.1998.9.1.22
Summary
The combination of ethnographic and cognitive neuroscience research reveals that Native Californian rock art reflects mental imagery and somatic hallucinations associated with supernatural experiences. The art, created by different social groups for various purposes, indicates that shamanistic states were often linked to unpleasant emotions rather than just ecstasy. Additionally, biochemical changes during trance states prompted the creation of rock art to preserve memories of these experiences.
Study at a glance
| Population | Native Californian rock art creators from various social groups |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Native Californian rock art reflects supernatural experiences and suggests that shamanistic states involved unpleasant emotions and necessitated the creation of art for memory preservation. |
Abstract
The combination of ethnographic and cognitive neuroscience research provides considerable insight into the origin and symbolism of Native Californian rock art. Although made by different social groups for different purposes in various parts of the state, the ethnographic record demonstrates that the art depicts the mental imagery and somatic hallucinations of trance, taken to represent supernatural experiences. When this art is viewed from a cognitive neuroscience perspective, it suggests that the shamanistic state of consciousness was far from primarily "ecstatic," instead often involving the generation of unpleasant emotions; and that biochemical changes during trance necessitated the making of rock art if the memory of these supernatural experiences was to be preserved.