Prehistoric Art Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Dating Conventions and Abbreviations B.C.=before Christ B.C.E.=before the Common Era A.D.=Anno Domini (the year of our Lord) C.E.=Common Era c. or ca.= circa C.=century Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Paleolithic Art introduces the student to the “image-making” capability of humankind. Representational images appeared in Asia, Africa and Europe. Mesolithic Art further developed the representational skills which theses early peoples used to describe and define their domain. Human figural representation is regularized into narratives, which identify human activities and concerns. Neolithic people settle into communities, which are fixed in place, and animals and foods stuffs are domesticated. Art becomes an integral component for community living.

Twisted perspective A convention of representation in which part of a figure is shown in profile and another part of the same figure is shown frontally; a composite view.

Around 30,000 BCE human beings were thought to have intentionally created works of art Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Pebble resembling a human face from Makaspansgat South Africa ca. 3,000,000 B.C.E. reddish brown jasperite approximately 2 3/8 in. wide

Animals were most often depicted by Paleolithic artists. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Apollo 11 Cave Namibia ca. 23,000 B.C.E. charcoal on stone 5 in x 4 3/4 in.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Incise To cut into a surface with a sharp instrument; a means of decoration, especially on metal and pottery. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Human with Feline Head from Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany ca. 30,000-28,000 B.C.E. mammoth ivory 11 5/8 in. high

Interpretations given to figures Sorcerers Magicians wearing masks Humans dressed up as animals. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Human with Feline Head from Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany ca. 30,000-28,000 B.C.E. mammoth ivory 11 5/8 in. high

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Venus of Willendorf from Willendorf, Austria Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Venus of Willendorf from Willendorf, Austria ca. 28,000-25,000 B.C.E. limestone 4 1/4 in. high

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

from cave of Les Rideaux, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Woman of Lespugue from cave of Les Rideaux, France ca. 20,000 B.C.E. mammoth ivory 5 3/4 in. high

Various European “Venus” figures Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Various European “Venus” figures

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

from a cave in Laussel, Dordogne, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Woman of Laussel from a cave in Laussel, Dordogne, France ca. 25,000-20,000 B.C.E. painted limestone approximately 18 in. high

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

from a cave at Le Tuc d’Audoubert, Ariége, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Bison reliefs from a cave at Le Tuc d’Audoubert, Ariége, France ca. 15,000-10,000 B.C.E. clay each approximately 2 feet long

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Chauvet Cave paintings Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, Ardèche, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Chauvet Cave paintings Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, Ardèche, France ca. 30,000-28,000 B.C.E. pigment on stone

Three caves or caverns that contain Paleolithic paintings are; Altamira, Spain; Lascaux, France; Pech-Merle, Lot, France. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

The prehistoric peoples may have attributed magical properties to the paintings. Confining animals to the surface of their cave walls, they may have felt they were bringing the animals under their control. Rituals or demons may have been performed in front of them either to aid in hunting or insure survival of the herds. They may have been teaching tools to instruct new hunters or to serve as target practice. Pech-Merle Cave paintings Lot, France ca. 22,000 B.C.E. pigment on stone Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Techniques the artists may have used to create the Pech-Merle prints Negative prints: The painter placed one hand against the wall and brushed or blew pigment around it. Positive prints: The painter dipped a hand in pigment and then pressed the hand against the wall. Meaning; They may have been signatures, either of the individual artist or the artist’s community.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Organization of the bison images from Altamira They are all in profile to show all parts of the animal. They seem to float above the viewer’s head and do not share a common ground line or orientation. They are separate rather than a group. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Altamira Cave paintings Santander, Spain ca. 12,000-11,000 B.C.E. pigment on stone

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Lascaux Cave paintings Lascaux, Dordogne, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Lascaux Cave paintings Lascaux, Dordogne, France ca. 15,000-13,000 B.C.E. pigment on stone

Two different techniques used at Lascaux to depict animals Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Two different techniques used at Lascaux to depict animals Colored silhouettes. Outline alone.

Were the animals at Lascaux painted at different times? Two different techniques (silhouettes and outlines). The “herd” also consists of several different kinds of animals of various sizes and styles moving in different directions. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Mammoth bone dwelling from Ukraine ca. 16,000-10,000 B.C.E. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Mammoth bone dwelling from Ukraine ca. 16,000-10,000 B.C.E.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Neolithic Art Neolithic art and architecture vocabulary: Lintel A beam used to span an opening, or a stone in the case of megalith circles. Megalith Massive rough-cut stones, usually grouped into circles or “henges.” Terracotta Hand-baked clay used for sculpture and as a building material. It may be glazed or painted.

Contained the earliest permanent stone fortifications Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Great Stone Tower of Settlement Wall Jericho, Israel/Gaza ca. 8,000-7,000 B.C.E.

Human Skulls with Restored Features from Jericho, Israel/Gaza Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Human Skulls with Restored Features from Jericho, Israel/Gaza ca. 7,000-6,000 B.C.E. skulls, plaster, shells

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Çatal Höyük Turkey ca. 6,000-5,900 B.C.E. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Çatal Höyük Turkey ca. 6,000-5,900 B.C.E.

Çatal Höyük is best known for its wall paintings and shrines Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Deer Hunt detail of a wall painting from Level III Çatal Höyük, Turkey ca. 5,750 B.C.E. Two subjects that were portrayed in the paintings at Çatal Höyük were a hunting party and a landscape. The technique; Pigments were applied with a brush to a white background of dry plaster.

Landscape with Volcanic Eruption Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Landscape with Volcanic Eruption Çatal Höyük, Turkey ca. 6150 watercolor copy of a wall painting

Three changes in artistic production that paralleled the shift from a food-gathering to a food-producing society. Paintings are made on walls of permanent houses, not in caves. The first known landscape, showing a village. The Tower of Jericho, the beginning of monumental architecture.

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Stonehenge was thought to have been erected in several phases in centuries before and after 2000 BCE. It was probably an astronomical observatory as it is an accurate solar calendar. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Stonehenge Salisury Plain, Wiltshire, England ca. 2,550-1,600 B.C.E. sarsen and bluestone

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Çatal Höyük Turkey ca. 6,000-5,900 B.C.E. Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Çatal Höyük Turkey ca. 6,000-5,900 B.C.E.

Figures of Man and Woman From Cernavoda, Romania Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Figures of Man and Woman From Cernavoda, Romania ca. 4,000-3,500 B.C.E. ceramic 4 1/2 in. high

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Menhir alignments at Ménec, Carnac, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Menhir alignments at Ménec, Carnac, France ca. 4,250-3,750 B.C.E.

various Menhirs Ireland, Scotland, England, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. various Menhirs Ireland, Scotland, England, France

Dolmens Ireland, Scotland, England, France Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Dolmens Ireland, Scotland, England, France

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.