Rock art displays many similarities between cultures, but also you can see that different African regions have distinct styles. There is a debate on when certain rock art was actually produced; scientists have done their best to dissect the rock art into categories based on their time of creation. The earliest period of rock art is called the Bubalus period. Most of the rock art in this period consisted of mostly carvings or engravings. The engravings were mostly of wildlife that was around in that period, most likely the act of hunters. The most common carving was of Antiqus, which scientists’ believe was a form of cattle with large horns. Recent findings have shown that Antiqus’ were actually domesticated cattle which would imply that the earliest Saharan rock art is no older than 5,000 B.C.

The next period was named the Roundhead period by Henri Lhote after the round headed figu

Many people are reluctant to admit that our present ideas of the history of art and literature could have derived from sub-Saharan Africa. It seems more probable that the symbols used in African art were found much earlier than the cave paintings.

The Dogon cosmogony places an importance on the signs of the zodiac. Also the Dogon must know the star Sothis, as the Egyptian calendar was based on the rising of that star. This leads to the fact that these practices begun in the Egyptian society because then the rituals and beliefs can be warranted throughout the rest of Africa.

Akan Art is an art based entirely around images from the environment and their surroundings. From this, they relate everything to proverbs. This verbal and visual connection leads to their visual arts, dance, and music. The Akan people use proverbs everyday and on formal occasions of every variety. There are even different proverbs used for different occasions such as casual conversation or a formal event or meeting. Formal events place great importance on the use of proverbs because proper use is a sign of elegance and sophistication.

Some topics in this essay:
Akan Art, Eastern Africa, BC Roundhead, African Art, Ancient Egypt, Rivers Nok, Henri Lhote, Hathor Isis, Black Africa, Sothis Egyptian, rock art, african art, nok culture, ancient egypt, period rock art, black africa, rock painting, rest africa, egyptian society, researchers believe, period rock,