1.1

(1) (1) Apollo 11 stones. Prehistoric African. Charcoal on stone. 25,500 – 25,300 BCE. Namibia. 5” x 4.5”. Prehistoric.:

Form:

  • Positive vs negative space

  • Stones were painted in charcoal (black), ochre (red/browns), and white

  • Earliest example of representation  figurative (derived from real sources)

  • Animals are displayed in twisted perspective (profile + frontal)

  • Slabs were found broken in pieces

Function:

  • Likely focused on animal fertility and life cycles, given the prominence of genitalia

    • Hope for reproduction

  • Likely prized objects because they were moved into these caves

    • Portable object; small

  • Edges are discolored, meaning it was handled frequently

    • Stone used is not the same as the natural stone found in the caves

  • Therefore, likely for animal ritual/worship?

Content:

  • Animal figures painted on the rocks

    • Multiple animals; not always identifiable to species level

  • This slab has some kind of cow or bull with genitalia prominently emphasized

Context:

  • One of the oldest known rock paintings; 7 slabs in total

  • Between 1969 and 1972, W.E. Wendt (German archaeologist) found slabs in cave

    • Named after 1969 NASA moon landing

  • Paleolithic migratory community  brought these slabs into the cave from elsewhere

    • Hunters and gatherers have to carry with them whatever they deem of greatest importance

    • Humans follow animals who follow plants that grow according to the seasons

    • For humans to survive, animals have to thrive  rituals often focused upon guaranteeing that outcome

  • Buried in domestic debris in caves

    • Caves were temporary shelters

Learning Objective: Earliest example of representation

Themes: animals; ritual; fertility; cycle of life