Art of Ancient Civilizations

Chauvet Cave

Location in southeastern France where the oldest known cave paintings date from around 30,000 BCE.

Upper Paleolithic Period

The historical period during which Chauvet Cave paintings were created, approximately 30,000 BCE.

Red ochre and black charcoal

The primary pigments used in the cave paintings of Chauvet Cave.

Venus of Willendorf

A small stone female figure from the Old Stone Age, known for its exaggerated features and dated to around 28,000–25,000 BCE.

Mezzolithic Period

The historical period following the Paleolithic, characterized by a warming climate and the transition to rock shelters.

Ziggurat

Massive stepped structures built by Sumerians primarily functioning as temples and city centers.

Code of Hammurabi

The oldest legal code known, codified by Hammurabi, king of Babylonia.

Relief carving

Artistic technique used by the Assyrians to depict significant events such as battles and hunts.

Hierarchical scale

An artistic concept used in Ancient Egyptian art where the size of figures is determined by their social or political status.

Fractional representation

Technique in Egyptian art where different parts of the body are shown in distinct views for clarity.

Tutankhamun's burial mask

A famous gold mask that rested on the face of the mummy of the boy king, created from gold and embellished with semi-precious stones.

Nubia

Ancient kingdom located south of Egypt, known for its significant historical relationship and influence over Egypt.