Prehistoric before recorded history: relating to the period before history was first recorded in writing.

Paleolithic Art, art produced from about 32,000 to 11,000 years ago, during the Stone Age. It falls into two main categories: portable pieces, such as small figurines or decorated objects, and cave art.

Paleolithic This so-called Venus figurine from the area of Willendorf, Austria, is one of the earliest known examples of sculpture, dating from about 23,000 bc. The figure, which is carved out of limestone, is only 11.25 cm (4.5 in) high, and was probably designed to be held in the hand. It is believed the Venus may be a fertility symbol, which would explain the exaggerated female anatomy.

Paleolithic Cave Painting, Lascaux, France Paleolithic artists painted scenes in caves more than 15,000 years ago, such as the one here found in Lascaux, France. The leaping cow and group of small horses were painted with red and yellow ochre that was either blown through reeds onto the wall or mixed with animal fat and applied with reeds or thistles. It is believed that prehistoric hunters made these paintings to gain magical powers that would ensure a successful hunt.

Paleothic

Neolithic

Neolithic Pottery was the prime medium of Neolithic art; other important artistic expressions were statuary of the universally worshiped Mother Goddess and megalithic stone monuments devoted to religion or cults of the dead.

Neolithic Stonehenge, prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain, north of Salisbury, in southwestern England, that dates from the late Stone and early Bronze ages (about 3000-1000 bc). The monument, now in ruins, consists of a circular group of large upright stones surrounded by a circular earthwork. Stonehenge is the best preserved and most celebrated of the megalithic monuments of Europe.

Egyptian Art  The buildings, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts of ancient Egypt from about 5000 bc to the conquest of Egypt by Rome in 30 bc.

Egyptian Art Much is known of the Egyptians because of hieroglyphics, picture writing.

Egyptian Art Most Egyptians never saw the art that is now displayed in museums, because only kings and members of the ruling elite were allowed to enter temples, tombs, and palaces. But the Egyptians had in mind another audience for their art: the gods and, for the art in tombs, the spirits of people who had died.

Egyptian Art Death Mask of Tutankhamun The death mask of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun is made of gold inlaid with colored glass and semiprecious stone. The mask comes from the innermost mummy case in the pharaoh’s tomb, and stands 54 cm (21 in) high.

Egyptian Art Nefertiti This painted limestone bust of the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti dates from about 1350 bc (Staatliche Museen, Berlin). Wife of Akhenaton, Nefertiti supported and assisted her husband in implementing new religious ceremonies during the mid-14th century bc.

Egyptian Art Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt reigned in the 1400s bc. Her funerary temple is near the Valley of the Kings, in present-day Luxor.

This bronze figure with inlaid blue-glass eyes dates from Egypt’s Late Period (712-332 bc). It shows the ancient goddess Bast in the form of a cat.