Prehistoric Art and Neolithic Revolution

Prehistoric

BEFORE the invention of writing

Paleolithic

Refers to the 'Old Stone Age'

Neolithic

Refers to the 'New Stone Age'

Stone Age

Period when humans used stone to make tools before the invention of metal

Ca.

Abbreviation for 'circa,' meaning around with no exact date

BCE

Abbreviation for 'before common era,' a preferred alternative to BC (before Christ)

CE

Abbreviation for 'common era,' replacing AD (Anno Domini)

Homo sapiens

The species of 'thinking man' that appeared around 60-40,000 years ago

Neanderthal

An early hominid that predated Homo sapiens, known for making tools and burying their dead

Hand axes

Tools with a rounded bottom that were ground until razor-sharp

Nomadic

Characterized by moving from place to place, following animal migration patterns

Caves

Provided temporary shelter for early humans, where much of the early art was created

Animism

A belief system where everything in the world is believed to have a spirit

Lascaux

A naturally-occurring cave in Southern France known for its prehistoric art

Twisted Perspective / Composite Pose

An artistic technique where animals are depicted in a descriptive, abstract way, not naturalistic; depicted in Hall of Bulls

Abstract

Artistic representation that does not attempt to depict reality accurately

Shaman

Person who is especially in-tune with spirits; depicted in Bird-Headed Man with Bison

Neolithic Period

Period from 8000-2300 BCE characterized by the invention of agriculture, animal husbandry, surplus food production, specialized labor, trade, social hierarchies, and the shift to permanent settlements

Agriculture

Invention allowing humans to produce surplus food, leading to specialized labor, permanent settlements, and the domestication of animals

Animal Husbandry

Practice of breeding and raising animals for human use, such as food, labor, or materials

Surplus

Producing more food than necessary for survival, enabling the development of specialized labor and trade

Specialized Labor

Work focused on specific tasks due to surplus food production, leading to technological advancements and social complexity

Trade

Exchange of goods and services between individuals or groups, facilitated by surplus production

Social Hierarchies

Systems where some individuals have more wealth or power than others, emerging from surplus production and trade

Innovation

Introduction of new ideas, methods, or products, often resulting from experimentation and specialized work

Corbelling

Construction technique where stones are stacked in courses that progressively get smaller and tilt inward, often used in ancient structures; used in Skara Brae and the Passage Grave

Passage Grave

Underground tomb structure created using corbelling without glue, covered with earth, and requiring a large organized group of people for construction

Megalith

Large stone structure or monument, often consisting of monoliths or massive stones like those found in Stonehenge

Monolith

Single large stone, such as those used in megalithic structures like Stonehenge

Post and Lintel Construction

Building method using vertical posts and horizontal lintels to create structures, as seen in Stonehenge

Mortise-and-tenon Joints

Construction technique where a raised tenon fits into a hole (mortise), used to join stones in structures like Stonehenge

Bronze Age

Historical period following the Neolithic era characterized by the use of bronze, a malleable metal, for tools and weapons