Global Prehistory - Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes on Global Prehistory (including Paleolithic/Neolithic, Stonehenge, Lapita, Tlatilco, and related sculpture terms).

Paleolithic

Old Stone Age.

Neolithic

New Stone Age.

Composite Figure

A figure made from multiple parts.

Bucrania

Bull horns used as decorative motifs in art. represents power and status.

Profile Figure

A figure shown from the side, maximizing visibility of form.

Silhouette

A completely filled-in figure with no interior detail.

Art Mobilier

Movable pieces of art.

Sympathetic Magic

Belief that an artwork has power when used in ritual.

Shaman

An individual who enters trance to access the spiritual world and influence the physical world.

Mural

Wall painting.

Twisted Perspective

A figure presented from more than one viewpoint (frontal + profile).

Scarification

Intentional scarring of the body.

Hierarchy Of Scale

The tallest figure is shown as the most powerful; size denotes power.

In Situ

Art piece made to remain in its original location.

Composite Pose

Twisted Perspective; a pose combining multiple viewpoints.

Ground Line

A line on which a figure stands.

Contour Drawing

Outline of a subject.

Naturalistic

Realistic or natural-looking.

Post

Vertical standing stone.

Lintel

Horizontal stone across the top of an opening.

Cromlech

Stone circle.

Heel Stone

Stone separate from the main Stonehenge circle.

Trilithon

Grouping of three stones (two uprights with a lintel).

Megalith

Very large stone used in monuments.

Aubrey Holes

Holes around Stonehenge that contained male human remains.

Monolith

One single large stone.

Abstract

Suggests a figure but is not realistic or natural.

Anthropomorphic

Giving human characteristics to non-human forms; human-like figure.

Stele

Upright stone slab used as a monument or marker.

Sculpture In The Round

Sculpture carved on all sides; viewable from all angles.

Relief Sculpture

Sculpture still attached to its original material; not freestanding.

Subtractive Sculpture

Forming by removing material.

Bas-Relief

Low relief; with shallow depth.

Cong

A square form with a circular opening in the center.

Bi

Circular disk with a hole in the center.

Modeling

Forming with your hands.

Stylized

Exaggerated or simplified details.

Sacrum

Bone at the base of the spine near the reproductive region.

Incising

To cut into material.

Burin

Sharp tool used to incise.