An Ancient, Modern, Concept from Africa

 This is an excellent example of the Art of the Sculptors of West Africa.

It is a mask of the Guro people, carved from wood, with a polychrome finish.

The entire piece is carved from a single wood billet, spectacularly demonstrating the maker's skill.

It depicts the position of the human species within the Creation.

The face is surrounded by animal features, signifying the dependence of people on the creatures around them.

The bird at the top, usually a Hornbill, represents the creatures of the air. 

The Antelope horns show the presence of the creatures of the bush or forest, and the serrations below show the jaws of the crocodile: a creature of the water.

The message is that each depends on the others for existence and survival.

What is done to one, affects all.

Not quite as Old as the Hills .....

 

Africa is considered by most anthropologists to be the oldest inhabited territory on the earth, with the Human species originating on that continent.

The discoveries of Fossils and of evidence of Human occupation, date from as early as 7 million years ago.

Several species of early ape-like Humans, are thought to have evolved into modern man.

Australopithecus afarensis ( dated to approximately 3.9–3.0 million years BC ), Parnthropus boisei ( c. 2.3–1.4 million years BC ) and Homo ergaster ( c. 1.9 million–600,000 years BC ) have all been documented.

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Evidence of the first modern humans in North Africa

Modern man inhabited North Africa 40,000 years earlier than previously thought. Archaeologists have made the discovery using new dating technologies - such as optical stimulated luminescence, which essentially measures the last time a grain of quartz saw the light of day. To read the full article click here