Expert: Ralph Salier - 3/5/2004

Question
Ralph - is there any convincing explanation for the various common cultural features throughout the world - such as the cup-and-ring, spiral and zig-zag inscriptions, and man-made constructions that respond to very specific sun positioning (eg. New Grange), and the widespread occurrence of burial in red ochre, or the similar legends distant tribes associate with some star clusters? Are these simply inevitable and obvious stepping-stones along the road for all advancing civilizations, or is there something to be explained here, in your view? Tony  

Answer
Tony, This is an excellent question.  Ancient peoples were keen observers of their environment.  So things like supernova, comets, changes in the sky like the planets' movements were understood and were often associated with other events.   Geometric patterns such as spirals, zig zags and cup and ring are going to show up regardless of culture since they are simple design elements.  If you watch children making art projects you will see these design elements.   The burial rights of ancient people are a bit more difficult to explain. However, if you dig up a person who has only been dead for a short time the bones are often stained with the hemagolobin from the blood. This redish stain was viewed by the ancients as an important factor in the passage of the dead.  Thus to speed their way into the afterlife, a red substance was sprinkled over the body to represent this stain.  Ocher was not the only substance used, Mercuric oxide was also used as was some types of ground tree bark which was red in color.   

Are these simply inevitabel and obvious stepping stones? Perhaps, but I am more inclined to think of them as part of the human constantcy that we, looking for a solution or methology will find similar ways to do things. It is the way we are wired.  Do we continue to do this, yes.  The world wide web is an example, the written word, common laws, the use of definable speach.  So is it inevitable, yes.