From Abracadabra to Zombies

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reader comments: Ica stones

16 Dec 1999 
The subject of the authenticity of these artifacts and what they may represent has been a topic of debate at an online forum. There I have posted the following:

Reposting some very relevant info regarding these "Ica stones." Every time I see another photo of one, my eye catches design elements or direct copies of images published in African Designs from Traditional Sources by Geoffrey Williams (Dover Publications, 1971). Dover released many books of this type as source material for artists; they are copyright free. I see the same designs used many places - I have used them myself.

Helen earlier commented on the fact that the stone artists must have seen something to inspire them. They did - and the exact source has inspired many of us.

The people who recently carved these 'curios' for collector's market (good money in this) obviously liked the style of Senufo, Ivory Coast art. The fact that these stones also depict people with dinos tells me that they were commissioned to provide 'evidence' for someone with an agenda. They are fraudulent.

Feel free to check me on this... it is only $7.96 at a well known online bookstore.

reply: I did, and I couldn't find any design in the book that even vaguely resembled any of the pictures of the stones I've seen.

While I have offered this 'witness' to fundamentalist Christians (who feel, for some reason, that their arguments are bolstered with questionable evidence), I am completely ignored. So it goes. The image you have placed with your article on this subject is a very close copy of a Senufo fish design of Ivory Coast. It is this one which first caught my attention - then I identified many more as Senufo. They are all from widely available Dover books. I am glad to be able to share this with you... before I myself lose interest due to the evident disinterest of others.
Michael Emory

reply: This Senufo fish design isn't in the book you recommend.