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The Giraffe and the palaeolithic society of ancient Africa

The Giraffe Motif


giraffe rock art petroglyph carving africa Why were giraffe chosen to adorn the outcrop? The selection is important - the carvings cannot be seen from the ground, but only by climbing onto the outcrop. Moreover, the area that was used - the stone canvas - had been prepared for the carvings.
 
Was it because these tall and graceful animals were perceived by a palaeolithic society as especially impressive: chimeric figures, with the face of a camel and the spots of a leopard, markings that had been portrayed with such attention to detail in the carvings; animals with a speed and ferociousness in self-defence that belied their unhurried gait? There is no other animal like a giraffe.

Why was the giraffe
motif chosen?

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The tall and graceful giraffe of Africa's Tenere

The carvings can only be seen by climbing the outcrop

Why did giraffe attract the attention of ancient cultures?

Or, perhaps their unique attribute resided in their unusually large eyes which may have attracted the attention of ancient cultures. The giraffes’ ability to see great distances, beyond scent or sound, would not have gone unnoticed, and may have become a metaphor for foresight and prediction. giraffe desert africa giraffe rock art petroglyph africa

The giraffes’ unusually
large eyes

Thin line leading from
each giraffe mouth

If this gift could be tapped by the group's priest or shaman, it would have a great influence. Perhaps this explains the thin line leading from each giraffe mouth to the top of the head of small human like figures.


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