Communicating with the World of Beings

The World Heritage rock art sites in Alta, Arctic Norway

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, Art History, History, European General
Cover of the book Communicating with the World of Beings by Knut Helskog, Oxbow Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Knut Helskog ISBN: 9781782974123
Publisher: Oxbow Books Publication: March 31, 2014
Imprint: Oxbow Books Language: English
Author: Knut Helskog
ISBN: 9781782974123
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Publication: March 31, 2014
Imprint: Oxbow Books
Language: English

The rock art found in the World Heritage sites in the Alta area, Arctic Norway, comprise thousands of images including reindeer and elk as well as fish, birds, boats, humans and geometric patterns. They contain information about peoples who lived in this northern area from about 5000 BC up until the birth of Christ; such as possible social organizations, hunting and trapping, beliefs, rituals,stories, legends, myths, cultural changes and continuities.

Communicating with the world of beings addresses an understanding of the rock art in terms of communication with other people and other than-human beings. The figures could have been seen and experienced as symbols in rituals or as expressions of identity, position, power and rights, as depictions of real events and perhaps for use in storytelling. Through rock art, people might also have been able to communicate with other-than-human beings who ruled parts of the environment – in order to petition favors for themselves or others. These other-than-human beings may have been perceived as good and evil powers and spirits of the different worlds of the universe; the dead or souls; which also included the animals depicted or were even embodied in the stone.

This communication may have been based on a belief that both living beings and inert objects and natural phenomena had souls, a belief that may have existed ever since the earliest settlements. Such an animistic belief means that everything was seen as having a consciousness and identity of its own, independent and imbued with a will. Therefore, it was essential that the different participants communicated with one another as equal partners.

In this beautifully illustrated book Knut Helskog provides a lyrical and personal interpretation of the chronology, patterning and possible meanings behind this extraordinary landscape of prehistoric rock art.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The rock art found in the World Heritage sites in the Alta area, Arctic Norway, comprise thousands of images including reindeer and elk as well as fish, birds, boats, humans and geometric patterns. They contain information about peoples who lived in this northern area from about 5000 BC up until the birth of Christ; such as possible social organizations, hunting and trapping, beliefs, rituals,stories, legends, myths, cultural changes and continuities.

Communicating with the world of beings addresses an understanding of the rock art in terms of communication with other people and other than-human beings. The figures could have been seen and experienced as symbols in rituals or as expressions of identity, position, power and rights, as depictions of real events and perhaps for use in storytelling. Through rock art, people might also have been able to communicate with other-than-human beings who ruled parts of the environment – in order to petition favors for themselves or others. These other-than-human beings may have been perceived as good and evil powers and spirits of the different worlds of the universe; the dead or souls; which also included the animals depicted or were even embodied in the stone.

This communication may have been based on a belief that both living beings and inert objects and natural phenomena had souls, a belief that may have existed ever since the earliest settlements. Such an animistic belief means that everything was seen as having a consciousness and identity of its own, independent and imbued with a will. Therefore, it was essential that the different participants communicated with one another as equal partners.

In this beautifully illustrated book Knut Helskog provides a lyrical and personal interpretation of the chronology, patterning and possible meanings behind this extraordinary landscape of prehistoric rock art.

More books from Oxbow Books

Cover of the book Current Research in Egyptology 2007 by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book The Bioarchaeology of Ritual and Religion by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Skyscapes by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Creating Material Worlds by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Communities in Transition by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book War and Worship by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Regional Schools in Hellenistic Sculpture by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Through a Glass Brightly by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Current Research in Egyptology 2006 by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book A Neolithic Ceremonial Complex in Galloway by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book The Archaeology of Politics and Power by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book From Surface Collection to Prehistoric Lifeways by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Children, Death and Burial by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book Excavations at Cill Donnain by Knut Helskog
Cover of the book A Late Iron Age farmstead in the Outer Hebrides by Knut Helskog
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy