Art in Prehistory

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on prehistoric art.

Prehistory

The period of human history before the invention of writing systems, approximately 1.7 million years ago to c. 3100 BCE.

Palaeolithic Era

A period of prehistory characterized by the development of early human art, architecture, and interior decoration.

Neanderthals Art

Cave art was made by Neanderthals such as pigments on cave stalagmites were applied through 'splattering and blowing' more than 60,000 years ago

Palaeolithic Period

From the Greek meaning: “Palaeo” = old and “Lithic” = stone, approximately 2,000 000 BCE – 10,000 BCE

Palaeolithic Characteristics

Humans migrated from Africa thanks to land bridges (ice age), depended completely on nature, were nomadic, used fire, invented stone tools, used spoken language and participated in religious rituals.

Lascaux Caves

Caves in France containing paintings from c. 15,000-10,000 BC.

Chauvet Cave

Cave in Ardèche, France, containing paintings from c. 32,000-30,00 BC.

Altamira Cave

Cave in Spain with bison paintings from c. 15,000-10,000 BC.

Woman of Willendorf

A stone carving discovered in Austria, dating back to 22,000 BCE.

Lion Man

A sculpture carved from mammoth ivory, found in Stadel Cave, Germany, dating back to 32,000 BCE.

Terra Amata

Site in France with evidence of early human shelters (huts) dating back to 400,000 BCE.

Neolithic Period

From the Greek meaning: “Neo” = new and “Lithic” = stone, approximately 10,000 BCE – 4,500 BCE

Neolithic Characteristics

Humans began agriculture, domesticating animals, creating settlements, division of labor, emergence of artisans, development of trade, and basic political and social institutions.

Lepenski Vir

Early settlement in Serbia, dating 9500-7200 BCE.

Çatal Hüyük

Town near modern-day Konya, Turkey, dating 7400-6200 BCE.

Skara Brae

Neolithic village on an Orkney island, Scotland, occupied c. 3180 - 2500 BCE

Megaliths

Large stones used to construct structures or monuments.

Menhirs

Large upright stones made by humans; also known as monoliths.

Dolmens

Megalithic tombs.

Stonehenge

A megalithic stone circle in Salisbury, UK, dating c. 3000-1500 BCE.