Introduction to the Visual Arts - Ancient Mediterranean Worlds

These flashcards cover key concepts, facts, and notable artifacts discussed in the lecture on the introduction to visual arts and ancient Mediterranean worlds.

What is the estimated age of the Kennewick artifact?

2,500 years old.

What time frame does the Clovis culture date back to?

13,500 years ago.

Which Paleolithic artifact resembles a human face and is from South Africa?

Makapansgat Pebble.

How old is the Decorated Ocher from Blombos Cave?

77,000 BCE.

What are the two Greek words that 'Paleolithic' is derived from?

'Paleo' meaning old and 'lithos' meaning stone.

What is a notable example of Paleolithic sculpture and when was it created?

Lion-Human from Hohlenstein-Stadel, created around 30,000-28,000 BCE.

What is the significance of the Venus of Willendorf statuette?

It symbolizes female fertility and beauty, dating back to about 28,000-25,000 BCE.

What is the technique used for cave paintings that shows a combination of viewpoints?

Twisted profile or Composite pose.

What were the common subjects depicted in Paleolithic art?

Animals and human figures.

What is the time frame of the Neolithic period?

Approximately 8,000 – 2,300 BCE.

What is a significant architectural structure from the Neolithic period?

Stonehenge.

What type of sculpture is the Human-Fish Sculpture from Lepenski Vir?

Neolithic art from around 6,300-5,500 BCE.

What did life-size skulls from Jericho represent during the Neolithic period?

They were often modeled with features in plaster and decorated, possibly used as death masks.

What illustrates the transition from Paleolithic to Neolithic art?

The shift from small figurines and cave paintings to monumental architecture and coherent narrative in art.

What material is the Venus of Willendorf made from?

Limestone with traces of ocher.

What does the term 'Mural' refer to in the context of art?

A large-scale wall decoration in painting, fresco, or mosaic.

What is a burin?

A pointed tool used for engraving or incising.

What archaeological site features the oldest known human remains, and how old are they?

Omo Kibish, dating back 195,000 years.

What was one function of the decorated ocher found in Paleolithic art?

Used as a pigment for coloring and decoration.

What does a passage grave entail in Neolithic architecture?

A tomb with a long stone corridor leading to a dome-covered burial chamber.

What distinguishes the Neolithic period's style of human representation?

Frontal and profile views in sculptures and paintings.