Graffiti Graffiti is markings – often writing or drawing – scratched, sprayed or scribbled onto a surface – often walls – in public areas. Ancient Graffiti The first signs of graffiti appear during prehistoric times; found on walls in caves, drawings of figures and animals – scenes from people’s lives during that period of time. More recently, graffiti is found in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. Scratched into walls of buildings, people wrote their names, messages, famous literacy quotes, simple words and phrases. This provides an insight into what life was like during this period and what it featured. Modern Graffiti Even though it was there graffiti didn’t feature heavily until the late 1960’s when it became popular. After several strikes