Upper Paleolithic Art and Human Expression

These flashcards contain key vocabulary terms and their definitions from the lecture notes on Upper Paleolithic art and human prehistory.

Upper Paleolithic

A period of human history characterized by the emergence of modern humans and the production of complex tools and art, estimated to begin around 40,000 years ago.

Cave Art

Art created by prehistoric people, typically found on cave walls, which includes paintings, engravings, and symbols, thought to express human experiences and cultural beliefs.

Symbolic Expression

The ability to represent ideas and concepts through symbols, a distinctly human trait that allows for the creation and understanding of art.

Venus Figurines

Small statuettes of women with exaggerated physical features, believed to symbolize fertility and the female form, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic.

Sympathetic Magic

A belief that by creating representations of animals, hunters could ensure successful hunts; often associated with the cave paintings of the Upper Paleolithic.

Geometric Forms in Art

Basic shapes such as dots and wavy lines that are commonly seen in ancient art and often linked to altered states of consciousness experienced by shamans.

Flowstone

A mineral deposit formed in caves, which can create a thin veneer over prehistoric artwork, providing a means to date the underlying paintings.

Chauvet Cave

A famous cave in France that contains some of the earliest and most beautiful examples of Paleolithic art, created between 37,000 and 28,000 years ago.

The Grandmother Effect

The hypothesis that the presence of grandmothers in ancient human societies increased reproductive success and survival rates of grandchildren.

Hand Stencils

Artistic markings made by placing a hand against a surface and spraying pigment over it, common in prehistoric cave art as a form of personal expression.

Parietal Art

Art found on cave walls, as opposed to portable art; includes paintings and engravings that depict animals and human figures.

Mobiliary Art

Portable art created during the Upper Paleolithic, often including carvings and figurines made from materials like bone and ivory.

Hohle Fels Cave

A cave in Germany that has produced some of the oldest known figurative art and musical instruments, dating back to approximately 35,000 years ago.

Paleolithic Symbolism

The use of symbols in prehistoric art, reflecting the cognitive and creative capacities of modern humans during the Upper Paleolithic period.

Transgenerational Memory

The concept of cultural knowledge and memories being passed down from older generations to younger ones, significant in understanding human evolution.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

A documentary film that documents the art found in Chauvet Cave, showcasing its historical and artistic significance.

Cave Bear

A large cave-dwelling bear whose remains are often found in Upper Paleolithic sites, illustrated in the artwork of that period.

Anatomically Modern Humans

Species of humans that emerged around 200,000 years ago, characterized by an increased ability for complex thought and expression, including artistic endeavors.