Italian archaeologists found an urn 5,200 years old decorated with images which, when viewed in quick succession, describe the movement of a gazelle towards a tree: the first known animation. Scientists dispute the meaning and intention of the images, falling for or against the animation theory. I hardly find it relevant. They either found a proto-animation or an early comic-book. Amazing in any case.
I wonder if they’ll review other pottery from the period, looking for more evidence of an ancient artistic trend. Of course, the artist/s did not have Quicktime to animate a gif for them. They must have visualized the outcome mentally or had another method for bringing the stills to life. Perhaps they spun round pot slowly in some way while maintaining a fixed perspective, like a clay version of the flip-book? No way to know, unfortunately.
I found it floating in Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub.
1 response so far ↓
esfahan08 // July 20, 2008 at 8:12 am
Great topic!
In terms of animation Iran is really good and they get inspiration from their culture and ancient language; although they went through taugh time throughout the history but they are still passionate and have hope for reassuring the global public about what Iran has to offer. This is one of the ways Iranians can bring the stills to life. It is not a thing I am saying but if you check on Iranian writers and directors of all kind of seventh art they all have been apraised by the international festivals.