Unit 1 Global Prehistory Notes

Venus of Willendorf

A prehistoric figurine representing a woman, characterized by exaggerated features and lack of facial details.

Human Figure from Ain Ghazal

A prehistoric sculpture of a human figure, also lacking facial features and background, emphasizing abstraction.

Prehistory

The era before written records, understood through scientific evidence and multidisciplinary studies.

Carbon Dating

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

Stratigraphy

An archaeological technique that deduces the age of objects based on their position in sediment layers.

Contextual Evidence

Information about an object's function and age derived from its surrounding artifacts and location.

Paleolithic Era

The Old Stone Age, characterized by hunter-gatherer societies and the creation of early art focused on animals and fertility.

Neolithic Era

The New Stone Age, marked by the domestication of plants and animals and the establishment of permanent settlements.

Mesolithic Era

The Middle Stone Age, a transitional period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras.

Relief Sculpture

A type of sculpture where the image projects from the background, often seen in cave art.

Apollo 11 Stones

Some of the oldest known artworks, created around 25,500 - 25,300 BCE, depicting animals in charcoal on stone.

Hall of Bulls

A significant cave painting site in France, featuring around 650 animal depictions, created between 15,000 - 13,000 BCE.

Camelid Sacrum

A bone sculpture from 14,000 - 7,000 BCE, carved to resemble a canine skull, symbolizing the soul in some cultures.

Running Horned Woman

A rock painting from 6,000 - 4,000 BCE depicting a female figure, livestock, and wildlife, suggesting ritualistic significance.

Beaker with Ibex Motif

A terracotta vessel from 4,200 - 3,500 BCE, featuring stylized animal motifs, possibly indicating clan identity.

Anthropomorphic Stele

A sandstone sculpture from the 4th millennium BCE, resembling a human figure, likely serving a religious or burial purpose.

Jade Cong

A jade artifact from 3,300 - 2,200 BCE, featuring abstract designs and believed to be linked to high-ranking burials.

Stonehenge

A prehistoric monument in England, constructed between 2,500 - 1,600 BCE, thought to have astronomical and ceremonial significance.

Ambum Stone

A composite figure from around 1,500 BCE, possibly representing an anteater, with theories suggesting ritual or tool-making purposes.

Tlatilco Female Figure

A ceramic figure from 1,200 - 900 BCE, showcasing exaggerated female features and possibly serving a funerary function.

Lapita Terracotta Fragments

Pottery from around 10,000 BCE, known for its stamped patterns and considered one of the oldest forms of Oceanic art.