Entoptic phenomena (archaeology)
Encyclopedia
For a medical definition please see Entoptic phenomenon
In archaeology, the term entoptic phenomena relates to visual experiences derived from within the eye or brain (as opposed to externally, as in normal vision). In this respect they differ slightly from the medical definition, which defines entoptic phenomena as only applying to sources within the eye, not the brain. To avoid this confusion, the term subjective visual phenomena is sometimes used.
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 normally occur during states of altered consciousness
, the practice of which may impact our views of ancient religious and social practice.
Entoptic phenomenon
Entoptic phenomena are visual effects whose source is within the eye itself. In Helmholtz's words:...
In archaeology, the term entoptic phenomena relates to visual experiences derived from within the eye or brain (as opposed to externally, as in normal vision). In this respect they differ slightly from the medical definition, which defines entoptic phenomena as only applying to sources within the eye, not the brain. To avoid this confusion, the term subjective visual phenomena is sometimes used.
There has been a great deal of work trying to find evidence of motifs and compositions derived from entoptic phenomena in prehistoric art
Prehistoric art
In the history of art, prehistoric art is all art produced in preliterate, prehistorical cultures beginning somewhere in very late geological history, and generally continuing until that culture either develops writing or other methods of record-keeping, or it makes significant contact with another...
, especially rock art
Rock art
Rock art is a term used in archaeology for any human-made markings made on natural stone. They can be divided into:*Petroglyphs - carvings into stone surfaces*Pictographs - rock and cave paintings...
and megalithic art
Megalithic art
Megalithic art refers to the use of large stones as an artistic medium. Although some modern artists and sculptors make use of large stones in their work, the term is more generally used to describe art carved onto megaliths in prehistoric Europe....
. The justification of this research is that entoptic phenomena normally occur during states of altered consciousness
Altered state of consciousness
An altered state of consciousness , also named altered state of mind, is any condition which is significantly different from a normal waking beta wave state. The expression was used as early as 1966 by Arnold M. Ludwig and brought into common usage from 1969 by Charles Tart: it describes induced...
, the practice of which may impact our views of ancient religious and social practice.