1. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
For thousands of years, before there were books, humans told stories.
How were stories told? Let’s find out!

2. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Throughout the history of the world, humans have gathered together to share their stories.

3. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Earliest stories were retold by word of mouth in conversations around the campfire and later around the hearth.
Pictures courtesy of John C. Vanko

4. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Early groups of people (prehistoric man) illustrated their stories on cave walls.
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

5. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Early Native People of the Southwestern U.S. illustrated their stories on animal hides.
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

6. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Throughout history, people retold their stories through song and dance during ceremonies and celebrations.

7. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
People throughout the world performed their stories as
plays and operas.
Photo: Opera singer from Suzhou, China. Kunqu is an old style of opera pronounced Cune-chew.
Picture courtesy of John C. Vanko

8. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Ancient storytellers entertained rulers and their royal court with heroic adventure stories.

9. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Rulers and kings recorded their own heroic stories on their tombs.
This is the granite sarcophagus of Ramses III, who ruled Egypt BC.
Picture courtesy of John C. Vanko

10. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Ancient people recorded important stories on scrolls. A scroll is a rolled strip of papyrus or leather.

11. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
In the Middle Ages, tapestries were sewn to retell stories and celebrate victories in battle.
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

12. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
In the Middle Ages, stained glass windows in cathedrals were used for retelling Bible stories.
This window from a French cathedral dates back to Windows were “read” from bottom to top.
Picture courtesy of John C. Vanko
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges, France - Built 1195 and completed Windows were designed and built around Most of the original windows remain today. The cathedral is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

13. Storytelling in the Past – A Time Traveling Adventure
Craftsman created statues to commemorate the important stories of the people.