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From cave art to street art - what drives human beings to draw on the walls?

Stream A Brief History of Graffiti on BBC Select

We’ve been doing it for centuries. From prehistoric cave paintings to gladiatorial fan worship to New York subway trains; we make our mark on any available surface. But what drives us to graffiti?

Watch A Brief History of Graffiti and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

A Brief History of Graffiti on BBC Select

Dr Richard Clay hunts for the reasons why we scratch messages and mementoes of our lives onto the walls. Is it pure vandalism or an important creative impulse?

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