This prehistoric hand stencil, created using a spray technique, is one of the earliest expressions of humanity’s desire to declare, ‘I was here.’ Preserved for thousands of years, it likely served as a social or ritualistic message, connecting past and future.
Thousands of years ago, our ancestors left their handprints on cave walls to convey the message “I was here.” At first glance, these prints may seem simple, but they are in fact among the oldest symbols of humankind’s desire to affirm its existence, speak to the future, and declare, “I have a story to tell, too.” By leaving these marks during their brief lifetimes, they made an early “call” for immortality, reaching out to those who would follow.
Today, the phrase “I was here” extends well beyond cave walls, appearing in science, art, social media, and countless other arenas. The articles we write, the photos we take, the projects we create, the experiments we design—all are modern expressions of “I exist, and I share.” Despite our finite lifespans, by communicating with one another, sharing knowledge and experiences, we take part in a much larger narrative.
This is where ExperienceJournals, a new platform for scientific exchange, steps in. Its aim is to bring the same “cave wall” spirit into the modern world: not just to announce our presence but also to contribute to the foundation of scientific progress and build a collective memory. Sharing a research outcome or a personal discovery no longer simply says, “I did this and I am here,” but rather extends an invitation to others: “Have a look, refine it, and push it further.”
“Our lives are short, but if we want to glimpse farther into the boundless horizon of science, we must embrace the collective, shareable nature of knowledge.”
These words encapsulate ExperienceJournals’ core philosophy. Approaching a form of “immortality” in science is less about individual achievements and more about advancing together with a collective consciousness. Ideas multiply when shared, break boundaries when nurtured, and travel toward new horizons through collaborative thought.
More than just a place to publish articles, ExperienceJournals is a movement that welcomes everyone passionate about science. Every idea matters—be it an experimental observation, an unusual hypothesis, a tiny spark of inspiration, or a sweeping theory. Much like prehistoric humans who left their handprints for the future, we believe that every scientific contribution here leaves a distinct “print” for others to see. These prints will energize and inspire new minds, guiding us toward discoveries we can’t yet imagine, all through the power of shared thinking.
Saying “I Was Here” is not merely declaring one’s existence; it’s also a commitment: “I contribute to a better future—I was here, and I set something in motion.” ExperienceJournals offers everyone a means to endure in time. The signatures we place today will be reshaped tomorrow by other researchers and curious minds, expanded and carried toward new frontiers.
Whether you work in a university lab, study marine life in a coastal village, or simply observe the natural world with curiosity, this platform is a gathering space for those who believe in a shared purpose—where ideas and experiences are exchanged to steer the future of science.
Remember: from the handprint on the cave wall to the present, humanity’s progress has been fueled by our need to share and leave a mark. Now, we live that same spirit at a pace and scale never before seen. So come, seize the opportunity to declare, “I was here, and I’m leaving my mark on the future,” through ExperienceJournals—because knowledge grows when shared, and we can only build the future together.