Recording-2025-01-31T00:12:54.654Z

Prehistoric Overview

  • Prehistory: Refers to times before the written word was developed.

    • Changes in geographic and cultural contexts as civilizations developed the ability to write.

Major Eras of Prehistoric Art

  • Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)

    • Timeframe: Approximately 2,500,000 to 12,000 BP (Before Present).

    • Characteristics: Hunter-gatherer societies, primarily nomadic cultures.

    • Artifacts: Typically small and portable items due to the nomadic lifestyle.

  • Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

    • Timeframe: Roughly 12,000 to 4,000 BP.

    • Major Development: Transition to agrarian societies.

      • Improvements in farming technology.

      • Domestication of animals.

      • Establishment of stationary living conditions.

    • Artifacts: Larger structures possible, e.g., Stonehenge.

Bronze Age

  • Following the Neolithic, characterized by the ability to mix tin and copper for stronger materials.

    • More detailed studies planned for next week.

Earliest Forms of Art

  • Blombos Cave Art

    • Age: Approximately 70,000 BP, located in South Africa.

    • Type: Etchings created by carving into stone.

    • Significance: Credited as one of the earliest forms of human-created art.

  • Chauvet Cave Art

    • Age: Approximately 30,000 BP, found in France.

    • Type: Charcoal drawings on cave walls.

    • Significance: Represents what is commonly recognized as prehistoric art.

    • Includes imagery suggesting connections to shamanism—depictions of half-human, half-animal figures.

Example of Prehistoric Art

  • Venus and the Sorcerer from Chauvet Cave

    • Symbolizes link between the physical world and the spiritual world.

    • Represents a shamanistic figure combining human and animal characteristics.

American Prehistoric Culture

  • Clovis People

    • Age: Approximately 13,000 BP in Texas.

    • Notable Artifact: Clovis points (spear tips, similar to arrowheads).

    • Development of new hunting techniques using atlatls.

Creation Myths and Their Importance

  • Emerged as a significant area of study in the early 1900s.

    • Previously viewed as children's stories but later recognized for cultural insights.

  • Common Themes:

    • Creation of the Earth, humanity, nations, and significant inventions.

    • The object of creation must exist for it to be a creation myth.

Cultural Insight from Myths

  • Visual Elements: Importance of descriptions focusing on visual storytelling.

  • Moral Systems: Myths often convey lessons reflecting cultural values.

  • Symbol of Water: Frequently appears in many creation myths as a symbol of life and purification.

Examples of Creation Myths

  • Japanese Creation Myth: Izanagi and Izanami.

  • Native American and African Myths: Several cultural interpretations are relevant.

  • Pastafarian Creation Myth: A modern, humorous take on creation.

Creative Writing Assignment: Creation Myth

  • Assignment:

    • Write a creation myth incorporating visual elements, a moral lesson, and a reference to water.

    • Minimum word count: 250 words.

    • Include a brief explanation of the moral within the story, discussing its representation and significance.

robot