Unit 1: Global Prehistory, 30,000–500 BCE

Paleolithic Era

the Old Stone Age is also called as ___.

Neolithic Era

the New Stone Age is also called as ___.

Stele

an upright stone slab used to mark a grave or a site

Anthropomorphic

having characteristics of the human form, although the form itself is not human.

Cong

a tubular object with a circular hole cut into a square-like cross-section

Jade

appear in burials of people of high rank.placed in burials around bodies;Chinese linked this stone with the virtues of durability, subtlety, and beauty.

Shamanism

a religion based on the idea that the forces of nature can be contacted by intermediaries, called shamans, who go into a trance-like state to reach another state of consciousness.

Mortise and tenon

a groove cut into stone or wood that is shaped to receive a tenon, or projection, of the same dimensions

John Aubrey

Aubrey Holes were named after him.

First Phase

a phase for circular ditch 36 feet deep and 360 feet in diameter containing 56 pits called Aubrey Holes

Second Phase

a phase for wooden structure, perhaps roofed.

Third Phase

a phase for stone construction.

Menhirs

Large individual stones, erected singularly or in long rows stretching into the distance.

Megaliths

a stone of great size used in the construction of a prehistoric structure

Henge

a Neolithic monument, characterized by a circular ground plan. Used for rituals and marking astronomical events

Lintel

a horizontal beam over an opening

Post and Lintel Architecture

The most fundamental type of architecture in history.

Stylized

a schematic, nonrealistic manner of representing the visible world and its contents, abstracted from the way that they appear in nature

Camelid sacrum in the shape of a canine

an important Mesoamerican artifact that is shaped like a dog but represents the sacrum bone of a camelid. It was used in religious rituals and is believed to have had symbolic significance in the region's mythology.

Anthropomorphic stele

A type of ancient stone monument that features a human-like figure or figures. They were often used in funerary contexts and are found in various cultures around the world.

Jade cong

Neolithic jade artifact. Hollow cylinder with circular perforations. Found in ancient Chinese tombs. Symbolic significance in Chinese culture. Believed to represent the universe and the cycle of life

The Ambum Stone

Artifact discovered in Papua New Guinea, believed to be from 1500 BCE. Made of greywacke stone and depicts a human-like figure with a bird's head. Significance is unknown.

Tlatilco female figurine

Small clay figurine from the Tlatilco culture in Central Mexico, dating back to 1200-900 BCE. Depicts a female with exaggerated hips and breasts, often holding a child. Considered an important artifact for understanding gender roles and social organization in ancient Mesoamerica.

Terra cotta fragment

A small piece of fired clay that has broken off from a larger object. Often used in archaeological excavations to reconstruct ancient pottery and sculptures.

Apollo 11 stones

A Paleolithic cave in Lascaux, France, known for its prehistoric wall paintings of bulls, horses, and other animals.

Great Hall of the Bulls

This prehistoric artwork is located in the Lascaux Caves of France. It features a collection of animal paintings, including bulls, horses, and deer.

Running horned woman

A prehistoric rock painting found in Mexico depicting a woman with horns, running. It is believed to date back to around 6000 BCE and is one of the earliest known examples of art in the Americas. The significance of the horns is unknown, but it is speculated that they may represent a spiritual or supernatural aspect of the woman.

Beaker with ibex motifs

It is a beaker that has ibex motifs on it. The ibex is a type of wild goat that was often depicted in ancient art. This beaker was likely used for drinking or storing liquids. It was made by skilled artisans in ancient times and is now a valuable artifact for archaeologists to study.

Stonehenge

Megalithic monument in England, built around 2500 BCE. Consists of large standing stones arranged in circular and horseshoe shapes. Purpose and methods of construction remain a mystery.