Ancient Media

These pigeons were the first forms of Fedex and UPS workers.  People would put messages in the pigeons like you can see in the picture.  Somehow they all knew where to go.  They were of great importance to primitive media.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=carrier+pigeons&hl

Unlike hieroglyphics these symbols do not mean any specific thing.  Natives illustrated their lives out in pictures like these.  Each year they would add a picture that was symbolic to them.  They would use a piece of canvas, usually made from buffalo skin but other's like deer and wolf skin was used, and they would keep it with them or in their homes at all times.

http://ushistoryimages.com/images/native-american-symbols/fullsize/native-american-symbols-8.jpg

Pirates used flags like this one to communicate with other ships.  If a flag with crossbones and a skull was up people knew to stay away from that ship or they would be attacked.  Other flags would be signals of distress or simply letting ships know that they could engage them without an attack.  These flags could be seen from miles away if you were using an eyeglass. (The first form of a telescope)

http://www.google.com/imgres?q

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=pirate+ships+and+flags&hl