Introductory Visual Arts: Art History Timeline Prehistoric Art Cave Paintings Lascaux Altamira Venus Figurines Stone Circles Stonehenge Megalithic Tombs Petroglyphs

What It Is

Prehistoric Art refers to the visual expressions created by early humans before the advent of written records. Cave paintings, such as those found in Lascaux and Altamira, are iconic examples of prehistoric art. These artworks provide valuable insights into the lives, cultures, and creative expressions of our ancient ancestors.

Key Terms & Techniques

• Cave Painting: A type of prehistoric art created in caves using natural pigments and various techniques.
  • Example: Lascaux Cave Paintings (c. 17,000 BCE)
• Venus Figurines: Small, female figurines created from stone, bone, or clay, often with exaggerated features.
  • Example: Venus of Willendorf (c. 25,000 BCE)
• Stone Circles: Prehistoric monuments composed of standing stones arranged in a circular pattern.
  • Example: Stonehenge (c. 3000 BCE)
• Megalithic Tombs: Large, stone-built tombs used for burial and often featuring intricate carvings.
  • Example: Newgrange (c. 3200 BCE)
• Petroglyphs: Rock carvings created using various techniques, often depicting animals or abstract designs.
  • Example: Petroglyphs at Valcamonica (c. 10,000 BCE)
• Rock Art: A broad term encompassing various forms of prehistoric art created on rock surfaces.
  • Example: Rock Art at Kakadu National Park (c. 40,000 BCE)
• Gravettian Art: A style of prehistoric art characterized by figurative depictions of animals and humans.
  • Example: Gravettian Cave Paintings (c. 28,000 BCE)
• Upper Paleolithic Art: A period of prehistoric art characterized by sophisticated and expressive works.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Chauvet (c. 30,000 BCE)
• Lower Paleolithic Art: An early period of prehistoric art characterized by simple and abstract works.
  • Example: Stone Tools at Olduvai Gorge (c. 2.5 million BCE)
• Symbolic Expression: The use of symbols, images, and abstract forms to convey meaning and express ideas.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Lascaux (c. 17,000 BCE)
• Narrative Art: Prehistoric art that tells stories or depicts events.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Altamira (c. 14,000 BCE)
• Abstract Art: Prehistoric art that uses non-representational forms and shapes.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Chauvet (c. 30,000 BCE)
• Animism: The belief that objects, animals, and natural phenomena possess spiritual or supernatural powers.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Lascaux (c. 17,000 BCE)
• Totemism: The practice of revering and worshiping animals or natural objects as symbols of spiritual power.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Altamira (c. 14,000 BCE)
• Shamanism: A spiritual practice that involves communicating with spirits and ancestors through rituals and trance states.
  • Example: Cave Paintings at Chauvet (c. 30,000 BCE)

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Prehistoric art is only found in caves.
• Correction: Prehistoric art can be found in various locations, including caves, rock shelters, and open-air sites.
• Misunderstanding: Prehistoric art is only created by early humans.
• Correction: Prehistoric art can also be created by other primates, such as chimpanzees and bonobos.
• Misunderstanding: Prehistoric art is only used for decorative purposes.
• Correction: Prehistoric art often serves multiple purposes, including storytelling, spiritual expression, and communication.

Quick Identification

1. A prehistoric artwork depicting a bison is found in a cave. What type of art is it?
2. Answer: Cave Painting
3. Reason: Cave paintings are a type of prehistoric art created in caves using natural pigments and various techniques.
4. A small, female figurine is discovered in a prehistoric site. What type of art is it?
5. Answer: Venus Figurine
6. Reason: Venus figurines are small, female figurines created from stone, bone, or clay, often with exaggerated features.
7. A large, stone-built tomb is found in a prehistoric site. What type of monument is it?
8. Answer: Megalithic Tomb
9. Reason: Megalithic tombs are large, stone-built tombs used for burial and often featuring intricate carvings.

Last‑Minute Revision

• ⚠️ Upper Paleolithic Art (c. 40,000 – 10,000 BCE) is characterized by sophisticated and expressive works.
• The Venus of Willendorf is a Venus Figurine (c. 25,000 BCE) created from stone.
• Stonehenge is a Stone Circle (c. 3000 BCE) located in England.
• Petroglyphs are rock carvings created using various techniques (c. 10,000 BCE).
• Gravettian Art is a style of prehistoric art characterized by figurative depictions of animals and humans (c. 28,000 BCE).
• Cave Paintings at Lascaux are a notable example of Upper Paleolithic Art (c. 17,000 BCE).
• The term "rock art" encompasses various forms of prehistoric art created on rock surfaces (c. 40,000 BCE).
• Megalithic Tombs are large, stone-built tombs used for burial and often featuring intricate carvings (c. 3200 BCE).
• The term "symbolic expression" refers to the use of symbols, images, and abstract forms to convey meaning and express ideas (c. 40,000 BCE).
• Narrative Art is prehistoric art that tells stories or depicts events (c. 14,000 BCE).
• Abstract Art is prehistoric art that uses non-representational forms and shapes (c. 30,000 BCE).
• Animism is the belief that objects, animals, and natural phenomena possess spiritual or supernatural powers (c. 40,000 BCE).
• Totemism is the practice of revering and worshiping animals or natural objects as symbols of spiritual power (c. 14,000 BCE).
• Shamanism is a spiritual practice that involves communicating with spirits and ancestors through rituals and trance states (c. 30,000 BCE).