RT Journal
A1 Harris JC
T1 THe yellow cow
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 2009
FD August 1
VO 66
IS 8
SP 809
OP 810
DO 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.108
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.108
AB 
The earliest representations of animals are found in cave art from the Paleolithic period, at least 20 000 years ago. Vividly realistic animals are shown in hunting scenes or as animal carvings. Their meaning is lost in antiquity, but it is commonly believed that the artists were illustrating hunting rituals and even shamanistic practices. In antiquity, animals were believed to have souls, but with the advent of Christianity these beliefs changed. Egyptian gods frequently had the heads of animals, as did the ancient Minotaur and other chimeras. There were fantastic medieval bestiaries; however, throughout history animals, most often, are depicted realistically.