1

Culture is a way of thinking and living that is handed down by generation to

generation. Early forms of human life developed a cultural legacy that was

apparent through their artistic endeavors. Therefore, as we explore the

cultural history of humans, we will be exploring their artistic legacy. Their

customs, arts, writings and intellectual pursuits were all recorded in this legacy.

Early forms of human life began replicating their reality through the use of

artistic invention. The first invention recorded of human creativity was

developed during the Paleolithic and Neolithic stone ages. As you will see,

early cultures were concerned with survival. Early forms of human life grew up

in a very violent arena. Early humans were controlled by the animal kingdom

and by their environment. Humans did not possess the necessary physical

attributes to defend themselves against animal prey. For example, humans

did not possess claws or fangs to aid them in the hunt. Humans were prey for

animals. Once humans developed weapons, they were capable of fending off

the animal kingdom. The environment played a critical part in the development

of humans. Humans were victims of volcanoes and natural disasters, as we

still experience in modernity. As our ancestors moved from Africa to Europe,

they were able to live in a setting that would allow them to begin to understand

the forces of nature that controlled them. It is here, we will find the earliest

forms of our human cultural history through art. Therefore, the earliest

creations of art occurred out of a need for survival of the human species.

2

The need for survival manifested itself in the various art forms listed above.

We will explore each of these artistic mediums.

3

During the Paleolithic period, humans had developed spears and were able to

maintain their need for food by hunting and gathering. The cave paintings

were illustrations and representations of animal figures. The animal paintings

included bison, mammoths, reindeer, boars, etc. Because early forms of

human life perceived the animal kingdom as a threat, the representation of

these animals proved as a way for the artist to fasten the animal’s spirit onto

the walls. This act would in turn offer protection during the hunt and bring

good luck to the hunter. Thus, the paintings are a visual statement used to

guarantee food through a successful hunt and thus human lives were

sustained.

4

The caves were founded in Lascaux, France in 1940. They were closed in

1963. There were thousands of visitors who entered these caves yearly. The

visitor’s breath acted as a form of moisture and had an acid rain effect on the

paintings. The original paintings that had lasted for thousands of years

underground were now developing pock marks from human intervention.

5

The caves were located underground this stick was used as a pole to enter the

underground caves.

6

This stone oil lamp was filled with animal fat and a twig acted as a wick. The

painter would use this to light the underground area while painting.

7

A flint knife and animal bones were found at the site of the paintings. The knife

was used to cut meat off the bones of an animal by the painter for food.

8

Paint brushes were made of twigs with shredded edges. The walls were

limestone and moist this allowed the painter to use twigs filled with emulsified

colored stone to paint the figures on the walls. Charcoal was used to outline

the images.

9

Bulls.

10

Take note of the size and the quality of detail of the figures. You will see large

animals and smaller animals on the walls. It is believed that several different

painters from various tribes created the animal figures seen here. As the

nomad tribes moved from place to place, another tribe would occupy the

vacated area. It was believed that by painting over or around the images that

already existed that it would bring good luck to the newly relocated tribe.

11

Horses in motion.

12

There appears to be some sort of sun rays or spears directly pointed at the

moving horse.

13

There are no human figures in these caves.

14

The tribes did not live in these caves. The entire cave walls and ceiling were

painted with animals. The paintings were believed to have magical powers, so

this cave would have served as a ritual or religious site.

15

Some animals are not identified. It is thought that the animals may have

become extinct or there was a lack of skill regarding the painter’s recollection

of the image. The artist is painting from memory, therefore the image may be

distorted. Although, if you consider that the artist is painting from memory,

some of these images are extraordinary.

16

Antlers.

The paintings in Valtorta Gorge in Spain are thought to be dated later than

Lascaux. Humans are shown with weapons, as they attack the herd crossing

a stream on the right. We see the early hunting techniques illustrated for us.

Another key element here is the addition of humans to the paintings. Again,

the images will reinforce the hunters ability to be successful in the hunt.

17

18

This underground natural stone formation is located in Pech Merle, a cave in

France. Note the image. It will appear again in a cave drawing on Pech

Merle’s walls.

19

Here is a similar image located in the cave.

20

This is a sketch by a hunter of what is believed to be a female mammal. Do

you see similarities to the natural stone formations? Remember the artist is

drawing from memory. Could the stone formations have prompted the artist to

recall this image from his or her memory?

21

Here again are drawings of animals made from charcoal.

22

It is believed sketches were ways for the artist to create a magical spell on an

animal without spending a lot of time on detail. The hunter may have been

passing through or spending the night here. This sketch would offer some

form of protection and luck.

23

The caves at Pech Merle are dated later than the caves at Lascaux. Look in

the upper left hand corner of these rocks. What do you see?

A human hand. Is this a signature of the artist? Is this image fixing the hand

in place to bring success in the hunt?

24

25

Note how many hands appear in this painting. The hands are probably the

artist’s hands fixing the figures in place.

26

A closer view of the hand. It is as if it is airbrushed into the painting. Bones

were found in caves with colored stone marks on the inside and outside of the

artifact. The artist would blow the colored stone through the open bone and

create an airbrush effect.

27

This animal’s head is created by the natural shape of the stone.

28

Here is a human footprint found in this cave. It is believed to be from a small

child who tripped, thus the heavy indentation in the front by the toes.

29

The caves at Chauvet were founded in 1994. The animals here appear to

have a softer more animated quality. These caves are much older than

Lascaux.

30

This human handprint was found in Chauvet. It is interesting to note the

progression in thinking that occurs as humans become more developed. It is

obvious that early forms of human life were only concerned with the animal

kingdom. Why would humans begin to incorporate hands into the paintings?

Was this a statement of power? No one knows.

31

American Indian cave paintings encompass the same qualities of replicating

nature as seen in the European cave paintings. Note circles and animals.

32

American Indian paintings. Here we see the introduction of the wagon wheel

evidence of the time period as the covered wagons traveled west. There is an

Indian on a horse with a bow and arrow hunting an animal. These American

Indian cave paintings show an active life of hunting and metaphors for the

lifestyle of Indian culture.

Here we see a Red Elk or Deer image. Notice how its body assumes the lines

of the shape of the rock. Cave rock art was an intricate part of life in American

Indian culture.

33

These handprints were found in American Indian caves. These universal

symbols appear throughout the world. Our handprint is an identification of who

we are…each handprint is unique.

34

35

There are several etching in caves throughout Europe. The etchings were

believed to be created as a form of ritual for protection. The hunters not only

painted and charcoaled figures, they etched into stone as well.

36

Etching of a horse’s head found at Chauvet.

37

Domestic objects: lamp, needles for sewing, jewelry

38

Another art form embraced by early forms of human life was sculpture. Here

you see two clay Bison. The artist carved the protruding figures by taking

away the stone. Thus, the figures are attached to the background in what is

known as low relief sculpture.

This brings the discussion of creating animal figures as a form of protection

and good luck to a close. We can see how the different art forms were utilized

as ways of expressing the hunter’s concern with survival.

39

The Venus sculptures and the cave paintings both represent various aspects

of survival. While the cave paintings focused on the animal kingdom for food

and survival; the Venus sculptures also focused on reproduction as a form of

survival. For example, the Venus sculptures are images of pregnant women.

The pregnant woman stone carving would have been an idealized version of a

female with the focus on her ability to procreate. These figures were painted

red and displayed jewelry made of shells. See next slide.

40

You will notice here the female figure is full. The head appears to be looking

internally into the reproductive organs of the figure. These sculptures were

found in the homes of early humans.

41

Note here the contemporary supermarket shopper sculpture by Duane Hanson

and the prehistoric sculpture of the Venus of Willendorf. Do you see any

similarities? Do you see any differences? Survival is still a vital concern for

humans, even if we demonstrate the need for food and reproduction through

methods other than hunting and gathering. Or do we? This is an actual

sculpture of a supermarket shopper in a museum. It is made of plastic and

steel. The sculpture is by Duane Hanson. Ask yourself, does it represent the

culture we live in today?

42

Perhaps these images of contemporary female figures are more

representative. Are they? Who do they represent?

Is this image of a contemporary mom more representative of women in the

twenty-first century? A mother could be a working woman and/or a stay at

home mom or both.

43

44

Prehistoric cultures expressed themselves through a variety of art forms.

Architecture was another art form utilized by early cultures. We will examine

the architectural structure of Stonehenge. It was designed using a post and

lintel system. It was a horseshoe shape with a circle of inner stones. Was it

used for religious ceremonies? We will view and discuss all of these

concepts.

45

It is believed to have been a sun clock or a calendar. Note how the heel stone

was used to determine the seasons. If the sun rose and struck the center

altar, it was summer. If the sun set on the outer mounds, it was winter. This

gives credibility to the idea that Stonehenge was used as a calendar and a

clock. Ancient cultures associated the seasons with religious practices. Does

this make Stonehenge a place where religious ceremonies were performed?

No one knows for sure.

46

Note the center altar in the middle of the circle and the heel stone at the

entrance to Stonehenge.

47

This is what Stonehenge looks like today.

48

How was it built? Some stones weighed 50 tons and were six to twenty four

feet high. The stones were lifted by human labor using ramps and ropes.

49

The top stones were hoisted and placed by building a ramp around two or

three supporting stones.

50

A view of the post and lintels. The posts are the vertical standing stones and

the lintels are the top horizontal stones.

51

Are these structures similar to monumental structures built today?

52

The sunlight on the stones that speak of time and seasons.

53

Was this animal bone that was found in a cave from the Neanderthal period

used as musical instrument? Were holes in the upper part of the bone were

used to create the sounds of the instrument? Were the holes made by humans

or animals? This is an argument that is still debated today.

However recently this Neanderthal flute was discovered in Germany and it is

believed to thousands of years old. It can still be played today! See next

slide.

54

55

Our website has a team of professional writers who can help you write any of your homework. They will write your papers from scratch. We also have a team of editors just to make sure all papers are of HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE. To make an Order you only need to click Ask A Question and we will direct you to our Order Page at WriteEdu. Then fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.

Do you need help with this question?

Get assignment help from WriteEdu.com Paper Writing Website and forget about your problems.

WriteEdu provides custom & cheap essay writing 100% original, plagiarism free essays, assignments & dissertations.

With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.

Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.

Click here to Place your Order Now