Jain Journal 1980 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 26

JULY 1980
17
was pushing up into the underbelly of Asia, slowly thrusting up the massive mountain range now called the Himalayas. This new barrier to global wind circulation helped change weather patterns, altering average temperatures around the world. By about 14 million years ago, climates that had been tropical had turned largely temperate, jungles had thinned out, and fruits and nuts normally available year round began to appear only seasonally.
“The changing food supply offered new opportunities for feeding outside the forest. Some of the forest-dwelling apes began venturing into the savanna, or grasslands, in search of food such as roots, seed and finally the meat of other animals.”
The entire episode including the stratigraphic position of fossil man has illuminated a history that is fascinating and enigmatic from diverse points of view. Nevertheless, the general view-point with regards to the life of our ancestors may not appear satisfying if the emphasis is given on food-quest only. One may be eager to learn about their inspiration and evaluation of ethics, justice and what is beautiful. While the upper Palaeolithic art of France, Spain and other places will throw light on this subject, the prehistoric cult-figurines as found in Asia and Africa will indicate how traits like involvement in respect of the mystery of life and devotion towards the glory of nature had been enrooted in the culture
Painted bison in its moment of inexplicable glory in the
palaeolithic cave at Altamira in Spain.