Prehistoric Art

How was the Venus of Willendorf tinted?

Using ochre

What were the "Venus Figurines"?

"Venus figurines" is an umbrella term for hundreds of prehistoric statuettes of women portrayed with similar physical attributes. These figurines were carved from soft stone (such as steatite, calcite, or limestone), bone or ivory, or formed with clay and fired.

What is the significance about the cave discovered in 2018?

-Since it's dated to 65,000 years ago, it must have been painted by Neanderthals -This cave completely changed our understanding of Neanderthals and their cognitive abilities. -It also predates other known cave art by tens of thousands of years.

What was painted in the Lascaux paintings?

-Very few (almost no) human depictions. Mainly animals that would have been hunted and eaten, as well as feared predators. -The animals are typically shown in a twisted perspective, with the heads depicted in profile but the pair of horns or antlers rendered frontally visible. -Environment (setting) and vegetation aren't shown

What is significant about the repetition of the symbols in caves?

-While what they symbolize is not understood, their repetition and their prevalence in multiple caves across Europe gives these symbols add mystery, and significance. -The repetition of the symbols highlights the fact that they aren't random

When was the Venus of Willendorf made?

28,000-25,000 BC

What are binders?

A binder is what gives an art material it's consistency.

What does pigments and binders do in contemporary examples?

Basically, pigment makes a material the color that it is, and the binder makes it the type of material (like oil pastel, acrylic paint, watercolor, etc.)

What is some more specific evidence about why they must have been painted by neanderthals?

Because anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) were not in Spain until ~40,000 years ago, and these paintings were made 25,000 years earlier, we know they could have only been made by Neanderthals.

Why was Altamira finally accepted in 1902?

Because new research showed it was possible for the cave art ("parietal art") to have been made by prehistoric man.

Why would these 17,000 year old paintings from Altamira be so well preserved?

Because they were uninteruppted

Why were these cave paintings so significant?

Because this art was made by prehistoric man, it takes on added significance. There is no writing left behind (because writing didn't exist) so the images left behind are even more important when it comes to our understanding of this time.

What time period was BC/BCE?

Before Jesus was Born/Before 1 AD

What can the symbols in caves have been used for?

It is tempting to interpret these symbols as preliminary forms of writing, but there is no evidence to support this. There is no reason to think that these symbols are connected to written language.

Why do the Venus figurines heads look like they do?

It represents textiles, maybe like a hat

What does the Croatian eagle talon necklace (130,000 years old) show about neanderthals?

It shows that neanderthals were capable of deliberate planning and forethought.

When was Lascaux closed to the public? What happened because of it?

Lascaux was closed in 1963. Lascaux II created in 1983. "Faux Lascaux"

What are the fun facts about each cave?

Lascaux- The "Louvre" of cave painting (biggest, most well-known) Chauvet- The oldest cave (twice as old as others) Altamira- The first cave painting found

What was the Venus of Willendorf carved from?

Limestone

Were the artwork in each cave similar?

Many of the caves contain art that is very similar in style and subject matter.

When were Venus figurines made?

Most span from 30,000 BC - 11,000 BC.

What is a well known example of Ancient Jewelry?

Nassarius Gibbosulus shell beads

Name the main examples of binders in prehistoric times:

Saliva or animal fat were probably used.

How does neanderthals show why prehistoric art is important?

These findings highlight exactly why the study of prehistoric art is so important - because it changes how we understand prehistory.

Where were the Venus figurines found?

They are found throughout Eurasia

Where is the Maros Cave Art?

Indonesia (The Maros Pangkep Region)

What was the Nassarius Gibbosulus shell beads? (age, where discovered, what used for?

-82,000 years old -Discovered more than 40km from the Mediterranean Sea, where they originated. -40,000 years ago, humans were trading them and making necklaces out of them.

What was the Altamira Cave? (where, significance, when discovered, when accepted, when painted)

-Altamira cave in Spain -Was the first "cave art" to be discovered. It completely changed our understanding of prehistoric man. -Discovered in 1868 -Not accepted until 1902 -Painted around 15,000 BC

Why was Altamira not accepted until 1902?

-Altamira may have been discounted initially because the cave paintings were in such good condition. -Also because people dismissed the idea that the paintings of Altamira were completed by prehistoric man -They thought it was too sophisticated for prehistoric man to complete

40,000 BCE significance?

-Anatomically modern humans replaced neanderthals and became the sole hominid inhabitants across continental Europe. -At about the same time, and possibly linked to this development, the earliest art was created.

What do the Venus figurines heads show about them?

-Based on these figures, some historians believe that humans from this time were weavers. The carefully carved top portions of the head are thought to be basket-like hats, rather than hair. -The care put into the carving of the "hats" has even been suggested to be like a manual for how to weave a similar structure, a king of how-to guide.

What was the Chauvet Cave? (real name, when discovered)

-Called the Chauvet-Pont-d' Arc -Discovered in 1994

Why was Lascaux closed?

-Due to mold and other visitor-related problems. -Lascaux had been completely sealed off from moisture, outside air, and outside bacteria and mold for thousands of years. Once it was opened, and visitors arrived, the paintings began to deteriorate and get covered with gold. -The exhalations of visitors, along with dirt carried in on their shoes, are believed to be the main culprits. -Basically, conditions had been perfect for the preservation of Lascaux, and by opening the cave that all changed. -Scientists are trying to prevent the deterioration, but it's possible that some of their efforts have made it worse.

What misconception did people have to differ humans from Neanderthals that was proven wrong?

-For a long time arguably the most significant point of distinction between Neanderthals and modern humans seemed to be Neanderthals did not make or use symbols. Whereas Homo sapiens left behind jewelry, sculptures and cave paintings - all products of symbolic thought - no such items could be unequivocally attributed to Neanderthals. -In recent years, however, evidence for Neanderthal symbolic behavior has been accumulating from sites throughout Europe.

What else did cave paintings sometimes show, besides animals or hands?

-In addition to the paintings of animals, and the silhouettes of hands, repeating symbols appear throughout the caves in Europe. -These have been studied less thoroughly, and are less visually exciting to most people, but provide some additional information.

What were the paintings used for in Lascaux and Chauvet?

-In both Lascaux and Chauvet, images are superimposed, suggesting that the reason for painting the animals had more to do with depicting them than with their final appearance. (This is a theory). -This leads historians to believe painting the animals may have been ritualistic and believed to have luck or power. -That the act of painting them was more important than what the finished product looked like.

What was life like for the humans during the time of the cave paintings (about 15,000-20,000 years ago)?

-It was at the mercy of the animals, as they relied on them for food, and they were afraid of them. -The humans were always moving around to follow the animals, b/c that's where the food was. -Humans not at the top of the food chain.

What was the cave discovered in 2018? (name, when created, where)

-La Pasiega -In Spain -Made 65,000 years ago

What was the Lascaux Cave? (when made, when discovered, who discovered,

-Made in 15,000 BCE -Discovered in 1940 -Discovered by 4, 18 year old boys and their dog robot

Ancient Jewelry significance?

-Our ancestors used jewelry and other personal adornments to reflect their identity. -These adornments may have represented membership in a particular group or someone's age, sex, and social status.

What are 3 of the other caves that were discovered besides just the main 3 that we've discussed?

-Pech Merle cave -Cueva de los Manos -Maros Cave Art

What creative ways did prehistoric men use the cave surfaces? What did this show about them?

-Prehistoric artists used the natural curves and bulges in the cave surface to add dimension to their paintings. This shows very advanced thinking!

What's the difference between BC and BCE?

BC - Before Christ BCE - Before Common Era

What does a pigment give paint?

A pigment is what gives paint (or any art supply) its specific color. So paint made with one kind of soil would look different from paint made another kind of soil, or with stone or charcoal.

What's the difference between AD and CE?

AD - Anno Domini CE - Common Era

What is significant that happened in 2018?

Another cave was discovered that changed our understanding of Prehistoric Art.

Where is the Cueva de los Manos and when was it made?

Argentina 11,000-7,000 BC

What are cave paintings?

Cave paintings are one of the main forms of artwork that are studied to learn about prehistoric humans.

How were the cave paintings made?

Cave paintings were made using natural pigments often mixed with binders. Paint is still made with pigments and binders, but the specific materials used are different than they were 30,000 years ago.

What is a contemporary example of pigments?

Colored powders

What does Lascaux depict?

Depict large animals that we know from fossil evidence existed at the time.

Was Chauvet open to the public when discovered?

Discovered in 1994, closed to the public except replica (they learned their lesson from Lascaux).

How did prehistoric men see the painting surfaces?

Due to the location of many of these paintings, it is believed that prehistoric man used lamps (thought to burn animal fat) in order to see the surfaces they painted (But remember, these caves were completely dark when the paintings were made)

What are the Venus figurines associated with?

Fertility

Where is the Pech Merle Cave and when was it made?

France 23,000 BC

What are different examples of Neanderthals using symbols and art?

In Gibraltar: One engraved a hashtag symbol in the bedrock of a cave In Croatia: One harvested eagle talons and made them into necklaces In Gibraltar and Italy: They hunted birds for their feathers, perhaps to wear as ceremonial headdresses or capes. Etc.

What's the difference between pigments and binders in contemporary materials?

In contemporary materials, oils, paints and watercolors may have the same pigments, but they will have different binders. That's why they may be the same color, but have different consistencies.

Where is the earliest evidence of human cave art?

In the caves of western Europe-in France and Spain-is the earliest evidence of the human capacity to interpret and give meaning to our surroundings.

What time period is CE/AD?

In the year of our lord/1 AD and later

What's the theory about where the Paleolithic art was developed?

New (controversial) theory suggests that the similarity between Paleolithic art found in very varied regions may be explained by the idea that humans developed these skills in Africa, before they migrated to Eurasia 70,000 years ago.

How were the black outlines painted in Lascaux?

No brushes have been found, so in all probability the broad black outlines were applied using mats of moss or hair, or even with chunks of raw color.

Were cave paintings only found in France and Spain?

No. Cave paintings were found all over the world, not just in France and Spain.

Do we have much evidence about weaving from prehistory?

No. Weavings wouldn't survive 40,000-10,000 years, so the figurines are the best clue we have.

What is a contemporary example of binders?

Often liquids, but not always

Name some examples of pigments in cave paintings:

Pigments in cave paintings include: minerals limonite and hematite, ochres (iron oxides): red ochre, yellow ochre, and umber, charcoal from the fire, burnt bones, and white from grounded calcite.

What does Prehistoric mean?

Relating to or denoting the period before written records (before there was writing).

What was agriculture like during this time?

Remember, during this time there were hunter-gatherers but no farmers. This was before humans discovered how to grow crops and keep animals (Agriculture is believed to have begun about 11,000 years ago, but would definitely not have existed then as we know it now. Agriculture developed slowly and became more complex gradually over time).

What do artists today use for paint?

Some artists who are purists mix their own paint using pigments and binders they buy or make, but most just get their materials already made from the art store.

What's another example about weaving other than the Venus figurines hats?

Some figurines appear to be wearing belt-like structures which would also have been woven.

What did survival depend on back then?

Survival depended on hunting and on protection from the animals that hunted man.

What were the caves where art was discovered used for?

The caves (with cave art) were not used for shelter, but instead for ceremonial purposes like ritual - the paintings are believed to increase protection from large, dangerous animals, as well as for luck hunting (Some theorists and historians disagree but many accept that cave paintings were made for this reason).

What is significant about the cave hand images?

The hand images match the prehistoric remains of females more closely than they do males. It is suggested that much cave art was made by women.

What were some of the animals painted at Chauvet?

The most pervasive animals shown were rarely hunted, like lions, mammoths, rhinoceroses, along with other animals like cave bears (which were much larger than grizzly bears). Horses, bison, ibex, reindeer, red deer, aurochs, Megaloceros deer, musk-over, panther, and owl are also represented.

How were the surfaces covered in the caves?

The surfaces appear to have been covered with paint blown directly from the mouth or through a tube; color-stained, hollowed-out bones have been found in the caves.

How do scientists determine what the caves were used for?

The use of the cave is determined based on the tools found there vs. in other places.

What's the takeaway about Venus figurines?

These figures have been found throughout Eurasia and are traced between 40,000 BC and 10,000 BC. They share similar features even though they are made with different materials.

The Venus figurines are an example of what type of art?

Upper Paleolithic Art

Was the Venus of Willendorf made in Willendorf?

Yes. But, it was made of a limestone not found in the area, so it would have had to have been brought there to be carved, or would have had to travel with the maker/owner of the figurine.