Artistic revolutionArtistic revolutionEmergence of MindEmergence of Mind

►Paleolithic worldPaleolithic world►Economy/technologyEconomy/technology

Gatherer-hunters/opportunistsGatherer-hunters/opportunists Stone, bone, fiber Stone, bone, fiber

►Origins of agriculture and “urban life” Origins of agriculture and “urban life” not until the early neolithic 11,000 not until the early neolithic 11,000 years ago.years ago.

Art or magic?Art or magic?

► Is magic the origin of art?Is magic the origin of art?

What is art? What is art? ► Is magic the origin of religion?Is magic the origin of religion?►Can we find the origin of culture in art?Can we find the origin of culture in art?

Abstract expressionsAbstract expressions

►Earliest known from 50,000 years agoEarliest known from 50,000 years ago►Found in many areas of Europe, Africa, Found in many areas of Europe, Africa,

Australia (Most in Spain and France).Australia (Most in Spain and France).►Typical forms: abstract rock carvings, Typical forms: abstract rock carvings,

painted animal forms, carved images painted animal forms, carved images of females or animals.of females or animals.

► Representational artRepresentational art fixedfixed

►portableportable Abstractions andAbstractions and literalliteral

► meanings?meanings?

►MagicMagic sympatheticsympathetic

► transfigurativetransfigurative TraditionalTraditional

► healinghealing

La grotte de Lascaux, France

VisitVisit

►www.bradshawfoundation.com/www.bradshawfoundation.com/lascaux/lascaux/

Cave: Tuc d’Audoubert, France

Altamira, Spain

Antler atlatl fragment, ~ 20,000 years ago. La Madeleine, France.

(Atlatls are spear throwers)

Atlatl in use

Altamira Cave, Spain

Mammoth ivory

Czechoslovakia

12,550 years ago

“Venus” figurines

45,000 years old, Germany

Hohle Fels

From Germany. 200,000 years ago?

Venus of Dolni Vestonici

Venus de Luassel

Venus of Walendrof, Germany.

Approx. 30,000 years ago

Neanderthal “flute’ ????

Australia

France

Inn rock overhangs

Australia

Significance?Significance?

►Do images represent efforts to control Do images represent efforts to control nature?nature?

►Do they signify origins of goddess worship…a Do they signify origins of goddess worship…a mother earth cult?mother earth cult?

►Who is responsible for the art and what Who is responsible for the art and what responsibilities are associated with its responsibilities are associated with its production?production?

► Is power conveyed to the creator? Is power conveyed to the creator? ►What is the relationship between art and What is the relationship between art and

religion?religion?

Earliest excavated templeEarliest excavated temple

►Gobekli TepeGobekli Tepe►Mesolithic/Neolithic period structure with Mesolithic/Neolithic period structure with

carved images, columns. carved images, columns. ►Predates agriculturePredates agriculture

► First found in 1963 by University of Chicago. First found in 1963 by University of Chicago. Not excavated until 1994 by German Not excavated until 1994 by German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt (GAI). Work archaeologist Klaus Schmidt (GAI). Work completed in 2000. Reported to public in 2011.completed in 2000. Reported to public in 2011.

Artists rendering of site under construction 11,000 years ago.