Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
(The article was originally published in Newschecker Tamil)
An image of what appears to be an ancient engraving of a man seated in front of a computer is going viral on social media. Users claim that it to be a “historical” engraving that proves India was ahead of other civilizations. Some users in Tamil claim the image to be of an engraving in a temple built by a Pallava king 1,400 years ago.
Newschecker found the claim to be untrue and that the image was actually of a modern artwork.
Several Facebook users shared the image, with one caption saying, “This pic is v historical this shows someone is typing in computer keyboard and traveling in space this should be protected (sic).”
Another user claimed it to be “proof India overtook the rest of the world in innovation!”.
Links to such posts can be found here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the same image on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044), requesting a fact-check.
Also Read: Runaway 14-year-old Called Chitra Grew Up To Be Sudha Murty? Here’s The Truth Behind The Viral Claim
Fact Check/Verification
Newschecker conducted a Google reverse image search, which led us to a website titled “Strange Horizons”. Displaying the viral image, the website elaborated on an artwork called “Future Ancestors” by Raul Cruz as a part of its October 9, 2006 issue. It stated that Raul’s work, inspired by Aztec and Mayan art, mixes traditional elements with science fiction and fantastic themes.
We found another version of the viral image on Cruz’s Instagram account, titled “Memoria del futuro, acrylic on fiberglass, 2015”, which translates to “Memory of the future, acrylic on fiberglass, 2015”.
Also, we found that the artwork was featured as the book cover for “Cosmos Latinos: An Anthology of Science Fiction from Latin America and Spain (Early Classics of Science Fiction)”.
Raul Cruz has been credited for the cover illustration of the book.
Conclusion
Viral posts claiming an ancient Indian engraving of a man using a computer are false. The image is of a work by an artist based in Mexico.
Result: False
Sources
Strange Horizons
Instagram Post by @racrufi Dated September 5, 2018
Amazon.in
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
