Supernatural

Supernatural is an intriguing exploration of a defining moment in human evolution, focussing on a transformative period less than 50,000 years ago. In this thought-provoking narrative, Graham Hancock investigates the sudden emergence of creativity and innovation within early human societies, raising questions about the origins of art, religion, and other cultural traits that seemed to appear fully formed.

The Plot

Hancock sets out to investigate this mysterious 'before-and-after moment' and the influences that gave birth to the modern human mind. His quest takes him from the painted caves of prehistoric France, Spain and Italy to remote rock shelters in the mountains of South Africa, and finally to the Amazon rainforest, where he drinks the hallucinogen ayahuasca with shamans whose paintings show 'supernatural beings' strikingly like the animal-human hybrids of prehistoric art. Could these 'supernaturals' be the ancient teachers of mankind?

Themes

• Visionary Art: The book compares prehistoric cave and rock art with the paintings of Amazonian shamans.
• The Origins of the Modern Mind: Hancock asks how art, religion and symbolic thinking appeared so suddenly, and whether human evolution is more purposeful than we understand.
• The Role of Mystery: The narrative is steeped in the allure of the unknown, prompting readers to consider the unexplained aspects of human history.

Readers who appreciated Hancock's other works, such as Fingerprints of the Gods, will find Supernatural a compelling addition to his oeuvre, offering new insights into humanity's past and the mysteries that still surround it.