Ancient Arts: Prehistoric and Egyptian Eras

Vocabulary flashcards covering Prehistoric and Egyptian arts based on the lecture notes.

Prehistoric Era

Art produced in cultures before writing; encompasses all human existence prior to the emergence of writing.

Cave paintings

Paintings created inside caves during the prehistoric era.

Lascaux Cave paintings

Famous prehistoric cave paintings in France (c. 15,000–10,000 BCE) from the Stone Age.

Venus of Willendorf

Limestone sculpture (28,000–25,000 BCE) with exaggerated breasts and abdomen; used as a fertility charm.

Venus of Brassempouy

Ivory figurine from the Upper Paleolithic that realistically represents the face and hairstyle.

Megalithic architecture

Early architecture using large stones (megaliths), often for burial or monumental purposes.

Menhir

A huge standing stone in megalithic monuments.

Dolmen

Two upright stones supporting a horizontal slab; used as a grave or altar.

Cromlech

A circle of standing stones.

Stonehenge

A major megalithic site in Europe with concentric stone circles used for rituals and linked to solar cycles.

Egyptian Era

Ancient Egyptian arts era, paralleling the country’s political history and culture.

Egyptian paintings

Highly stylized and symbolic, often showing figures in profile; colors include red, black, blue, gold and green.

Sarcophagus of Tutankhamen

Paintings on the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen (18th dynasty, c. 1362–1252 BCE) highlighting royal life and afterlife themes.

Hieroglyphics

Egyptian writing system used in art and inscriptions to tell stories and convey information.

Egyptian sculpture

Statues of kings (pharaohs), armies, servants and animals; made from wood, ivory and stone; uses symbolism and varied sizes.

Symbolism in Egyptian sculpture

Use of gods in composite forms; reliefs in horizontal registers; gods and kings often larger than humans; spaces filled with figures/hieroglyphs.

Mastaba

Flat-roofed, rectangular Egyptian tomb with outward sloping sides; built of mud-brick or stone.

Pyramids of Giza

Substantial ancient pyramids forming monumental tombs; among the world’s most enduring ancient structures.

Egyptian Architecture features

Thick sloping walls, few openings, hieroglyphics and vivid color frescoes; common motifs include scarab, solar disk and lotus motifs.

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

Royal couple depicted in Amarna art; more naturalistic style with distinctive features.