Introduction to

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• Introduction to
• Prehistoric Art

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What does PREHISTORIC mean?
Pre Before
Historic Written History
Prehistoric Before written history
Prehistory is defined as the time before writing,
and without written records, we have only the
works themselves and archeological evidence to
help us interpret them.
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Prehistoric artifacts have been found widely
spread throughout Europe, Russia, Africa and China
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• Prehistoric art is divided into two periods-
• Paleolithic
• Neolithic

The first period is called the PALEOLITHIC
period, otherwise known as the OLD STONE AGE.
The Paleolithic period was from 30,000 - 10,000
B.C..
The second period is called the NEOLITHIC period,
otherwise known as the NEW STONE AGE. The
Neolithic period was from 8,000 - 5,000 B.C..  
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History Timeline
       
B.C.E. Before Common Era B.C.E. Before Common Era B.C.E. Before Common Era     A.D. Anno Domini   A.D. Anno Domini   A.D. Anno Domini
             
Numbers go backwards Numbers go backwards Numbers go backwards Numbers go forwards Numbers go forwards Numbers go forwards
1985 A.D When Mr. Friesen was born
30,000-10,000 B.C.E. Paleolithic Era
8,000 - 5,000 B.C.E. Neolithic Era
2010A.D You are here
Year 0
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  ____________   ____________   ____________   0   ____________   ____________   ____________
  ____________   ____________   ____________   0   ____________   ____________   ____________
Arrange the dates in order from earliest to most
recent on the timeline below 1988 10,000
B.C.E. 500 500 B.C.E. 2006 B.C.E.
2007
0
10,000 B.C.E.
2006 B.C.E.
500 B.C.E.
500
1988
2007
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Paleolithic Period (c. 30,000-8,000 BCE)

• Paleolithic-from Greek words palaios and lithos
  meaning old stone.
• It was the end of the last ice age.

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Our Paleolithic Ancestors
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What was life like for our prehistoric ancestors?
In groups, discuss the everyday activities of
a cave man or woman and write your ideas in the
chart provided. 
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Lives of our Paleolithic Ancestors

• During the paleolithic period, our ancestors were
  migratory hunters and gatherers.
• They relied heavily on the animals in the area
  for food, clothing, shelter and tools.

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bands of 20 to 30 people followed the movement
of animal herds

• In the winter people used the caves for warmth
  and shelter.
• Some caves were sought out for other purposes,
  which we still do not fully understand.

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Language

• Prehistoric people didnt have a written
  language. Instead they used PICTOGRAPHS or
  pictures as symbols to communicate.
• Even today we use different pictures to
  communicate to people who speak different
  languages.

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• Around 15,000 B.C.., ancient hunters drew and
  painted important life events on cave walls.
• These are now called the Lascaux Cave Paintings
  and are found in France.

In 1940, a group of young boys discovered the
caves by accident. They had been untouched until
then. The pictures in the caves tell us a lot
about the lives of our Prehistoric ancestors.
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Lascaux Caves, France 15,000-13,0000 B.C.  
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Inside Lascaux
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• The subjects of Paleolithic art were primarily
  animals (bison, horses, deer and lions)
• People were only represented as stick figures
  at this point in time.

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The most famous part of the caves at Lascaux is
The Hall of Bulls, because most of the animals
depicted are of bulls.
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Different techniques were used to place the
images on the cave walls, relying on exacting
observation and memory of the artist. Pigments
were ground up and mixed with animal fat, blood,
oils, bone marrow or saliva.They were blown ,
dabbed or painted on with a stick (may be sharp
or frayed) or a finger.
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Techniques

• Dark lines outlining the contour of the animals
• Earth colours (from natural pigments)
• Smudging to fill in shapes
• Flat shapes

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• Many of these paintings were painted OVER (on top
  of) hundreds or even thousands of years apart.
  This suggests that they were somehow ceremonial.

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Early man also liked to make art by carving rock.
Here is an example of a carved piece of rock in
the shape of a woman. A carving like this we
call a sculpture in the round This means it is
carved on the front and the back.
Title Venus of Willendorf Date c. 28,000
24,000 BCE Medium Limestone Size height 4?" (11
cm)
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Here is another example of a carved piece of rock
in the shape of a woman. A carving like this we
call a sculpture in relief This means it is
carved only on the front.
Title Woman Holding a Bison Horn Date ca.
25,000 20,000 BCE Medium limestone Size 4cm
high
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Why did early humans make art?

• No one really knows for sure, but we do know that
  animals played a very important role in the lives
  of the Paleolithic people.
• There are many theories
• The animals that were around at that time.
• Instructions on how to hunt or not to hunt.
• Art was used for religious ceremonies.
• Creating art caused good luck in hunting.
•