Ancestory: the mystery and majesty of ancient cave art by Hannah Salyer

Ancestry - Ancestory - this book is about the stories of our ancestors that we have discovered through their rock art and cave art. Hence the clever title.

"These time capsules take the shape of ancient tock paintings, drawings and etchings. But who made them? Our ancestors. ... Their art can be found all over the world."

Image source: Hannah Salyer

Ancient people made this art. Some of it took a long time to create. There is a wonderful double page in this book which shows some of the materials and tools they used. A curious reader is sure to want to know more about azurite; goethite; limonite; selenite; and cuprite. With your young reader or class you could experiment with charcoal and ochre using a shell or flint as a tool. (Note there is a very useful further reading list at the back of the book).

What did they draw? Another fabulous double page shows art from 64,000 years ago through to 300 years ago from all around the world - South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Finland, Spain, Australia and Namibia. Then turn the page to see the numerous animals that have been discovered - animals that are now extinct - Eurasian Wild horse, Moa, Irish Elk, Woolly Rhino, Woolly Mammoth, Cave bear and Eurasian Cave Lion. 

"Our ancestors used natural shapes in the stone to help define the creatures, so that they seem to emerge from the walls."

The other issue is preservation of this precious art. Art in caves has often survived because it was not subject to wind and rain. There are some notes in the back of the book about the Lascaux Caves in France. Over the decades they were open to the public (they are now closed) and the breath of the visitors "drastically changed the atmosphere, and condensation formed on the walls and ceilings. Moisture sullied the paintings. Mould developed. And high-powered lighting caused the painting to fade." Show your class this 3 minute film. 

 But what else do we know?

"Archaeologists study tirelessly to connect the dots, and sometimes people who are part of local indigenous communities still have distant familiarity with these ancient sites and stories."

Publisher blurb: Around the world, our ancient ancestors’ mysterious art is left behind on cave walls, in rainforests, and with ink made from charcoal and crushed clay. These people told their stories in magnificent drawings that still speak to us today, echoing across generations. In her own stunning artwork that features the deserts of North America to the caves of Papua New Guinea, Hannah Salyer showcases ancient rock paintings, drawings, and etchings and invites us to add to the ongoing story—our ancestory.

The back matter expands the text with more information:

• site maps and lists of places where rock art sites are found
• “A Story Within a Story: The rediscovery of the Lascaux Caves”
• an author note
• a glossary of “Words to Know”
• a timeline
• resources for Further Reading and Investigation

The author raises questions about how and why our ancestors crafted their art: “Mapping the stars? Documenting the world around them?” Readers will also learn our forebears used all-natural materials, such as charcoal, ash, and malachite, and tools including flint, shells, and yucca stalks. Excellent explanatory backmatter concludes this fascinating book. Kirkus Star review

This unusual and brilliant book will appeal to a wide age range of readers who will want to study it in repeated readings. I anticipate that teachers will want to introduce the book to different classes, like art, history and composition. It makes an excellent read aloud. Worlds of Words

I spied this book when I was shopping at Gleebooks with my friend and I suggested she could buy this for her school library. That means I am the lucky first borrower of this utterly brilliant book. I also relate to the content of this text because as a child we used to clamber over rock art in a local reserve near my home. There was a kangaroo carved into those rocks a little like the one on the cover of this book - which is art from Arnhem Land.

Awards:

• Bank Street Children’s Best Books of the Year
• Vermont Red Clover Book Award
• Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2020
• Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children (NSTA/CBC)
• New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids
• CBC Best Book of the Year

Watch this film where Hannah describes her book. You can read more about Hannah Salyer here. "The artist used ceramic sculpture, photography, coloured pencils, charcoal pigment and digital media to create the illustrations for this book."

Please add this book to your school library and then find a passionate teacher who you know will enjoy exploring this fascinating topic with their class.