Entoptic phenomena (archaeology)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For a medical definition please see Entoptic phenomenon
In archaeology entoptic phenomena relates to any visual experience derived from within the eye or brain (as oppose to externally, as per normal vision). In this respect it differs slightly from a medical definition where entoptic phenomena relates only to phenomena within the eye but not the brain. Due to this confusion it is sometime called subjective visual phenomena.
There has been a great deal of work trying to find evidence of motifs and compositions derived from entoptic phenomena in prehistoric art, especially rock art and megalithic art. The justification of this research is that entoptic phenomena are normally viewed during states of altered consciousness, the practice of which may impact our views of ancient religious and social practice.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Dronfield, J. 1995. “Subjective Visions and the Source of Irish Megalithic Art.” in Antiquity 69, pp539-549
- Lewis-Williams, D. and Pearce, D. 2005. Inside the Neolithic Mind. London: Thames and Hudson
