<p>According to various internet sources, 5000 years ago, or approximately 3000 BC, references to the form of mediation used at the time is found in Hindu scriptures. 
According to Lovetoknow.com, A recent archaeological find in the then capital city of Moheyo-dara, capital city of the Indus Valley civilization, by John Marshall of a seal of a meditating yogi is dated at 2600 BC approximately. Of course , it may be assumed that meditation was taking place for an indefinite period of time prior.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-29T15:57:05.113Z
2016-05-29T15:57:05.113Z
Bonnie Topits
<p>What are the earliest records of people meditating?</p>

<p>The Wiki page for History of meditation mentions "prehistory" but provides no details:</p>

<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_meditation" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_meditation</a></p>

<p>The only other mentions begin at around 1500 BC.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-01T20:24:46.217Z
Note that "[prehistory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorded_history#Prehistory)" is (or means), by definition, "earlier than the earliest written records".
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-02T22:08:09.200Z
Maybe that's why the section provides no details :) Anyone know of evidence that would suggest early meditative practice?
bevanb
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-03T10:13:34.440Z
Other sites where you could try asking a question like this include Hinduism.SE or History.SE.
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-10T16:27:09.913Z
Did you lookup "harappa" or "indus-culture"? If I remember correctly there are small statues showing some Shiva-like figure sitting in Lotus-position. And the Harappa-culture has been a very early one in the Indus-valley, may be earlier than 1500 BCE
Gottfried Helms
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-10T16:42:49.147Z
In the wikipedia at "indus valley culture" there is the following remark: *Seals have been found at Mohenjo-Daro depicting a figure standing on its head, and another sitting cross-legged in what some call a yoga-like pose (see image, the so-called Pashupati, below).* 
*This figure, sometimes known as a Pashupati, has been variously identified. Sir John Marshall identified a resemblance to the Hindu god, Shiva.[68] If this can be validated, it would be evidence that some aspects of Hinduism predate the earliest texts, the Veda.*
Gottfried Helms
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-10T23:18:10.687Z
Shiva is not mentioned in the Pali suttas, where Brahma, Indra & Prajapati are mentioned. Wiki states Shiva is absent in the Vedas (the Brahman texts when Buddha was alive). Aboriginal people in Australia traditionally sat cross legged.
Dhamma Dhatu
<meditation-practicalities><history>
Earliest occurrences of meditation?
# Earliest occurrences of meditation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-01)

What are the earliest records of people meditating?

The Wiki page for History of meditation mentions "prehistory" but provides no details:

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_meditation>

The only other mentions begin at around 1500 BC.

**Tags:** meditation-practicalities, history

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Note that "[prehistory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorded_history#Prehistory)" is (or means), by definition, "earlier than the earliest written records".  
> **username_0**: Maybe that's why the section provides no details :) Anyone know of evidence that would suggest early meditative practice?  
> **username_1**: Other sites where you could try asking a question like this include Hinduism.SE or History.SE.  
> **username_2**: Did you lookup "harappa" or "indus-culture"? If I remember correctly there are small statues showing some Shiva-like figure sitting in Lotus-position. And the Harappa-culture has been a very early one in the Indus-valley, may be earlier than 1500 BCE  
> **username_2**: In the wikipedia at "indus valley culture" there is the following remark: *Seals have been found at Mohenjo-Daro depicting a figure standing on its head, and another sitting cross-legged in what some call a yoga-like pose (see image, the so-called Pashupati, below).*  *This figure, sometimes known as a Pashupati, has been variously identified. Sir John Marshall identified a resemblance to the Hindu god, Shiva.[68] If this can be validated, it would be evidence that some aspects of Hinduism predate the earliest texts, the Veda.*  
> **username_3**: Shiva is not mentioned in the Pali suttas, where Brahma, Indra & Prajapati are mentioned. Wiki states Shiva is absent in the Vedas (the Brahman texts when Buddha was alive). Aboriginal people in Australia traditionally sat cross legged.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-05-29. Score: 1

According to various internet sources, 5000 years ago, or approximately 3000 BC, references to the form of mediation used at the time is found in Hindu scriptures.
According to Lovetoknow.com, A recent archaeological find in the then capital city of Moheyo-dara, capital city of the Indus Valley civilization, by John Marshall of a seal of a meditating yogi is dated at 2600 BC approximately. Of course , it may be assumed that meditation was taking place for an indefinite period of time prior.


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