The History of Cave Paintings Unit 6

Cornell Notes Title of Slide - Underlined notes only Prehistoric Cave Paintings 11/13/14

Cave Paintings   Early hominids created cave paintings for many different reasons. Millions of years ago, they painted on cave walls to depict different things.  These particular caves were found in 1940 on complete accident by children.  Lascaux, France.   Early hominids created cave paintings for many different reasons. Millions of years ago, they painted on cave walls to depict different things.  These particular caves were found in 1940 on complete accident by children.  Lascaux, France.

The History of Cave Paintings  Cave paintings were found during the Paleolithic Era.  Cave paintings are prehistoric images found on the walls of caves all around the world, the oldest paintings dating back to 32,000 BC.  The purpose of the paintings is uncertain, but evidence suggests they aren’t there just for decoration…  Cave paintings were found during the Paleolithic Era.  Cave paintings are prehistoric images found on the walls of caves all around the world, the oldest paintings dating back to 32,000 BC.  The purpose of the paintings is uncertain, but evidence suggests they aren’t there just for decoration…

Theories  Theory 1: suggests cave paintings served a magical purpose for hunting, in hopes of increasing the number of animals available to hunt.  Theory 2: a Shaman would enter the cave and paint his visions, perhaps to gain power.  Theory 3: suggests that a wide range of people created the images, with the majority being female, proving the shaman theories invalid.  There is no way to physically prove any of these theories right or wrong, so it’s all about looking at evidence.  Theory 1: suggests cave paintings served a magical purpose for hunting, in hopes of increasing the number of animals available to hunt.  Theory 2: a Shaman would enter the cave and paint his visions, perhaps to gain power.  Theory 3: suggests that a wide range of people created the images, with the majority being female, proving the shaman theories invalid.  There is no way to physically prove any of these theories right or wrong, so it’s all about looking at evidence.

Materials Used  Materials included natural pigments:  Mixing ground up dirt, red ochre, animal blood, animal fat, saliva  They applied the paint using a hand-made brush from a twig and blow pipes (made from small bird bones) so spray paint the art onto the wall.  Materials included natural pigments:  Mixing ground up dirt, red ochre, animal blood, animal fat, saliva  They applied the paint using a hand-made brush from a twig and blow pipes (made from small bird bones) so spray paint the art onto the wall.

Activity  Clear off your desks except for a pencil!

Cave Painting Activity  Directions:  Step 1: Brainstorm an idea, event, or memory that you would like to leave behind for archaeologists to study that shows your experiences living as a human.  What story do you want to illustrate?  Why do you think people painted in caves?  How else do you think people made images before paper was invented?  What do you think cave artists were trying to communicate through their art?  Step 2: Take the paper and crumple it into a ball. This creates texture, like the cave walls!  Step 3: Outline your design in pencil that will tell the story you want to share.  Step 4: Fill in your drawing with markers or colored pencils.  Directions:  Step 1: Brainstorm an idea, event, or memory that you would like to leave behind for archaeologists to study that shows your experiences living as a human.  What story do you want to illustrate?  Why do you think people painted in caves?  How else do you think people made images before paper was invented?  What do you think cave artists were trying to communicate through their art?  Step 2: Take the paper and crumple it into a ball. This creates texture, like the cave walls!  Step 3: Outline your design in pencil that will tell the story you want to share.  Step 4: Fill in your drawing with markers or colored pencils.