Second essay on the question "Do Animals Make Art?"

Two Major Origin Theories That Say “No Way!”
Why the Enlightenment “Invention of Art” and the “Creative Explosion” Seem to Rule Out Animal Art—But Do They Really?

open.substack.com/pub/janverpo...

Here's a summary of how various animal behaviors match archaeological criteria used to identify human cognitive advancement. From personal ornaments to musical instruments, parallels can be found in nonhuman animals.

Musical instruments? Palm cockatoos modify sticks to drum on hollow trees during courtship, showing rhythm and individual styles - key features we associate with human music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrBc...

Regarding figurative art: Wild orangutans create and cuddle "dolls" made from leaves, while dolphins can create representational displays (like imitating smoke with milk). These meet criteria for representational behavior.

On decoration: Male bowerbirds create elaborate displays with collected objects and even paint their bowers with processed plant material. This mirrors early human "manuports" and paint manufacture.

Let's look at personal adornment: While ochre use in early humans is seen as symbolic evidence, bearded vultures also use ochre for status signaling. Even more fascinating - vulture evolution predates humans, suggesting we might have learned from them!

New commentary out in BBS!
Archaeological objects like cave paintings, figurines, and musical instruments are often seen as early art forms uniquely tied to human symbolic cognition. But I've long been struck by how this view overlooks remarkable parallels in the animal world.