Epic Story of Signage

Signage is a fundamental method of visual communication which has assumed importance in everyday life of modern human society. This article traces the ancient history of signage from the geoglyphs found at Barsu in India. It further explores the striking similarities between Barsu geoglyphs and those from the other parts of the world. The author finally draws attention of young artists to these ancient relics as a possible inspiration for new age signage designs.

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While learning Applied Art in the college days, our initial study was making Signs, which started with the symbolic representation of any drawing. It was taught to us as the first lesson, how to create any symbolic form in a pictorial language. In that exercise we learnt various symbols used as a Signs. In our day-to-day life we see such symbols everywhere. 

While visiting a zoo or a bird sanctuary we see the signs of Animals and Birds staying in the shelter; while crossing the roads, we always see the sign of Zebra Crossing on the Sign Board. Even in public places, and in public utilities various signs including gender signs are used regularly. 

We see these and many other signs in our day-to-day life. But do you know, when did mankind started using such pictorial signs? You may get surprised to know that it started thousands of years ago, that is, around 500 BCE. But it’s a fact. Let us know this interesting history of origin of Signage.

Now a days Barsu’s Geoglyphs, in Konkan Region of Maharashtra State, in India, is trending topic in media and social media. So, we all know about Barsu’s Geoglyphs. Those geoglyphs are the Signs or Signals used by humans in ancient times. Not just only that, the real mystery follows, in what I am going to tell you hereafter.

Geoglyphs found at Devgad in Sindhudurg district in Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is based in geometrical forms, which are very similar to Ancient Indian Vedic Symbol called Chakra or Mandala

To understand this mysterious story, first we will try to understand the difference between three ancient Rock Carving Methods: Petroglyphs, Hieroglyphs and Geoglyphs. It will help us to understand the unbelievable similarities found in Barsu Geoglyphs and other Geoglyphs in other part of the world.

Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by pecking directly on the rock surface. These are not like free hand drawings since they are made using a stone chisel and a hammer stone. 

Egyptians used Hieroglyphs, which were the formal writing characters. Cursive hieroglyphs were used for religious literature on papyrus and wood.

Geoglyphs are handmade features created on the surface of the earth. These have been made by removing or clearing sand or stones. This creates contrast between the figure and the ground, enhancing visibility. Since it is hand-made, its line force is like drawings with pencil on paper. All geoglyphs found on the Earth, are ten thousand to forty-five thousand years old. These geoglyphs reflect the life and lifestyle of human beings of that Era. Teams of Researchers from all over the globe are today studying the Barsu geoglyphs since they are discovered few decades ago.

This geoglyph is at Nazca Lines in Southern America. Its geometrical shape’s design has much relevance to Indian (Vedic) mythological auspicious symbol called Chakra or Mandala.

Surprisingly, much similar geoglyphs are discovered in the last century in Southern Peru in Southern America created by Paracas civilization. These geoglyphs are known as ‘Nazca Lines’. The Nazca Lines are a group of geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert. They were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by people making depressions or shallow inclusions in the desert floor, removing pebbles, and leaving differently colored dirt exposed. 

Geoglyphs of human figure found in Barsu, Maharashtra in India

Even Barsu geoglyphs are also carved on the stone surface of the earth with the similar style. Much Surprising similarity is the subjects of drawings and the style of drawing. Even the geometrical shapes and Designs has unbelievable similarity in both the geoglyphs.

Geoglyphs of Human Figure found in Nazca Lines in Southern America

In Barsu, geoglyphs are carved in various Animal’s shapes, different type of Birds, some Geoglyphs are like human shapes. These all geoglyphs are much larger in size, comparatively Nazca Lines are comparatively very huge geoglyphs found on the Earth. 

Animal shape geoglyphs found at Kasheli in Rajapur in Konkan region of Maharashtra State in India

Many Barsu geoglyphs can be seen properly from the hight, that is, with the help of Drone Camera or Helicopter only. Whereas in Nazca Lines geoglyphs are huge in size, that one can see them at a glance from at least 1000 feet height that means, from the Aeroplane or from Helicopter. When these geoglyphs were created on both the places neither Drone Camera nor Aeroplanes were invented. 

Animal geoglyphs found at Nazca Lines, Southern America

Not only the animal shapes and bird shapes of both the geoglyphs have similarities but even a huge geometrical design carved in both the geoglyphs has also much similarity. In both places one geometrical design is carved, which is very similar to Hindu and Buddha Auspicious symbol called Chakra or Mandala. 

Ancient Sculpture of Lord Indra’s Image as per Indus Valley Civilization with his weapon ‘Vajra’ in his hand

Researchers also found that Similar description of surrounded area of Nazca Lines reference is found in Ramayana (7th to 4th centuries BCE), As Ramayana is evidence and proof available in text form, represents that era, I am quoting this example. In which Sugriva, the Commander-in-Chief of Lord Rama, send his battalions to different directions on Earth to find Goddess Sita. One battalion which was directed to proceed exactly towards the direction of today’s Southern America. Sugriva told to those warriors to go to find Goddess Sita in that direction, till they can see the huge trident symbol (Trishul) carved on the surface of one mountain. He also stated that the symbol of trident is carved by Lord Indra, the king of Gods, with his weapon called Vajra.

Huge geoglyphs carved on the mountain’s surface of trident shape, which is just 100 miles away from these Nazca Lines at Southern Peru of Southern America. This trident is perhaps the first ancient larger Sign.

God’s King Viracocha, as per Paracas Civilization of Ancient Southern America. The God King’s face is much similar to Hindu God’s King Indra. Surprisingly the weapon in the hands of both is of the same shape.

Surprisingly there is similar huge geoglyphs carved on the mountain’s surface of the exact same shape of trident, which is just 100 miles away from these Nazca Lines. This trident is a Sign used as a Signal, thousands of years back. The ancient civilization of Paracas, believes from ancient times, that the king of God Empire, Lord Viracocha has carved these huge symbols of trident shape with his weapon. Even the mythology of both the civilizations, Paracas & Ancient Indus civilization (urban culture of Indian subcontinent), has similar images of the king of God Empire. 

The God Indra and God Viracocha are much similar in look and their weapon in the hand is the same which are drawn in both civilizations ancient Drawings and stoned Carved Sculptures, which are available even today. Near that Trident shape geoglyphs, there is very ancient runway discovered, which might be used to land and take-off of then Aeroplanes. In Ramayana there is description of ‘Pushpak’ Aircraft, this description is much like today’s aeroplanes.

In that ancient Era, in both the civilizations having distance of millions of Kilometres, where we found such similarities. Especially when there were no communication devices invented like Mobile phones, Satellite Communication or Internet facilities which are available today. This is just unbelievable, still it’s a fact.

Whatever is described in Ramayana is found in Southern region of America. Even both the places, geoglyphs are also found having many such above mentioned similarities. We cannot make a firm statement about creators, whether they were from the same civilization, but the similarities in both the geoglyphs much indicates that possibility.

Possibility is there, since in both the places geoglyphs are much larger in size and can be seen at a glance from minimum hight of at least 1000 feet from the surface of the Earth (ground level) these are the Signs carved by then humans in that era, might be, to indicate and locate the place (Air Station) from the sky. Or might be to fulfil some other purposes. Further research by renowned researchers will bring the exact facts in near future.

But one thing is confirmed, both the geoglyphs are created as the SIGNS to indicate something with any specific purpose. 

Now you will agree with me, the creation and use of Signs has started from 500 BCE. 

Isn’t it mysterious? 

Even these hand drawn drawings are really very creative, having a unique and artistic style to make signs of various animals, birds, humans and geometrical shapes. Today’s young artists have great scope to study these signs and symbols, to develop their unique style in the signage designing.

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Pratod Karnik

Author is an Artist and Advertising Professional