1. Lesson 6.1

2. Much or our knowledge about the lives of early human beings comes from their art. Before people could write or use metal to make tools, they were painting and scratching pictures of animals on the uneven walls of caves and rock shelters. It is difficult to understand why our prehistoric ancestors took time to produce art. It would be reasonable to believe that the artworks that they did create would be primitive and crude. But are they?

3. Prehistoric painting of a Bison found on the ceiling of a cave in Spain. Notice the accurate proportions of the animal Notice that the animal is not placed in a setting. What effect does this have? 15,000-10,000 B.C.

4. To determine the date of an artifact the surrounding layer of earth is tested or – Radiocarbon can be tested from once living objects found near the artifact. Paleolithic Period – (Old Stone Age) – the historical period believed to have lasted from 30,000 B.C. until about 10,000 B.C.

5. Controversy surrounds the exact date of the cave painting found in Lascaux, France. Many scholars feel that the imagery is too developed for the work of primitive peoples. They are unlikely the first artworks ever created. Like Altamira the caves were discovered accidently.

7. During prehistoric times cave painting was limited mostly entirely to the depiction of animals. Probably due to the prehistoric peoples dependence on the animals for food. The paintings of animals most certainly played a part in magic rituals performed before a hunt. Hunters probably believed that by drawing the animals they were capturing the animals spirit, allowing for an easier hunt.

8. Eventually prehistoric peoples ventured out of their caves to begin building more comfortable shelters. Small communities developed, and hinters replaced their weapons with crude farming tools and shepherd staffs. In time communities grew into organized villages surrounded by cornfields and grazing animals.

9. Detailed relief sculptures carved in to rock are proof of the prehistoric peoples artistic carving skills. Rock carvings have been found in England, Spain, France, Germany, Malta, and the Canary Islands. Bison Lickings its Back is an example of a horn carving. Notice the form and use of hatching to create value.

10. Megaliths – large monuments created from huge stone slabs. Megaliths can be found scattered across Europe, India, Asia, and even the Americas.

11. The most famous megalith structure is Stonehenge in England. Consists of a large rings of stones with 3 progressively smaller circles within. The outermost ring is a 100 feet in diameter. Of the 30 original upright stones over half still remain standing. The tallest is over 17ft and weighs more than 50 tons. Paleolithic Period – (Old Stone Age) – the historical period believed to have lasted from 30,000 B.C. until about 10,000 B.C. What is it’s purpose? How did they transport the stone and assemble the structure? Astronomical observatory?

12. Paleolithic Period – (Old Stone Age) – the historical period believed to have lasted from 30,000 B.C. until about 10,000 B.C. Megaliths – large monuments created from huge stone slabs. Paleolithic Period – (Old Stone Age) – the historical period believed to have lasted from 30,000 B.C. until about 10,000 B.C.