The Paleo Rave

This incredible art was created by the ancient San tribe

When looking at such "cave paintings" I'm often struck at how varied they are. Some are crude, but this painting in particular is beautifully detailed. Thinking about how the artist had to gather and mix the pigments for it and use feathers as brushes gives me a great sense of respect for art like this. But they are more than just paintings for the bushmen— they have important religious significance as well.

Many of them are of animals and people dancing, which brings me to dance. Hunter-gatherers don't really "exercise" in the way we do. Using calories just to use them would be considered kind of stupid in their environment. But they do dance— for fun and as part as religious rituals. While the evolutionary fitness community seems to enjoy running and other activities that emulate hunting, where's the dance? I have a feeling that hunter-gatherers, who often dance all night according to anthropologists, would feel more at home at a rave than in a gym.

Röyksopp 'This Must Be It' from Röyksopp on Vimeo.