Back when the written word was reserved for the highest priest of the highest priest and t.v. was still only a remote demon in the fevered dreams of shamans, people used pictures to tell stories, communicate ideas, represent the varied levels of experience. They would compose little scenes, stamp them into metals or paint them onto leaves and pass them back and forth between each other, sharing the joke, the tall tale or what have you. These little panels became collectibles, usually among children but by no means restricted to them. Collectors are thought to have rearranged these little scenes into different sequences, making up new stories. Unfortunately authentic panels are rare to come by and many forgeries, such as this one, flood the international market.