Paleolithic/Prehistoric Art

A collection of flashcards focusing on the vocabulary and key concepts from the lecture on Paleolithic and Prehistoric Art.

Paleolithic Art

Art created during the Old Stone Age, characterized by cave paintings and portable sculptures.

Chronological Dating

The method of determining the age of artifacts in archaeology by establishing a timeline.

Incised Ochre

A type of artwork from the Paleolithic period, found in Blombos Cave, South Africa, dated around 75,000 BCE.

Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers

Groups of people who move from place to place in search of food, relying on hunting and gathering.

Upper Paleolithic

The most recent phase of the Paleolithic era, lasting from about 52,000 to 12,000 BCE, notable for an explosion of image-making.

Cave Paintings

Prehistoric art found in caves, predominantly depicting animals and symbols, primarily from the Upper Paleolithic period.

Lascaux Cave

A site in France famous for its prehistoric cave paintings, dating back to approximately 15,000 BCE.

Cave Art Techniques

Methods used by prehistoric artists to create images on cave walls, often involving outlining, coloring, and shading.

Shamanism

A belief system where practitioners, or shamans, enter altered states of consciousness to connect with the spirit world, often linked to prehistoric art interpretation.

Pareidolia

The psychological phenomenon of seeing meaningful forms in random patterns, such as faces in clouds.

Radiocarbon Dating

A method used to date organic materials by measuring the decay of carbon-14.

Uranium-Series Dating

A dating method that measures the decay of uranium in calcite found on cave paintings to determine their age.

Symbolic Thought

The ability to think about and represent objects, concepts, and ideas using symbols, a key aspect of human cognitive development.

Symbols in Cave Art

Abstract signs and symbols found in caves that may represent communication or early forms of writing.

Mammoth Complex

The term describing the variety and abundance of megafauna available to Upper Paleolithic humans, influencing their hunting practices.

Anthropomorphic Figures

Artistic representations of human forms or figures, often found in cave paintings.

Hearths

Structures or areas used for burning materials, indicating the controlled use of fire by prehistoric peoples.

Portable Art

Small sculptures or figurines that can be moved, such as female figurines from the Paleolithic era.