Chapter 1Chapter 1

PrehistoryPrehistory

Key termsKey terms

► Paleo-lithic: Paleo-lithic: palaiós (Gk: old)palaiós (Gk: old) líthos líthos (Gk: stone). (Gk: stone).

►Meso-lithic: Meso-lithic: mesos (Gk: middle)mesos (Gk: middle)

►Neo-lithic:Neo-lithic:néos (Gk: New) néos (Gk: New)

►Mega-lithicMega-lithic mega (Gk: big)mega (Gk: big)

► Parietal artParietal art parietes (Latin: walls)parietes (Latin: walls)

Key TermsKey Terms

►Paleo-lithic: Paleo-lithic: Old Stone AgeOld Stone Age ►Meso-lithic: Meso-lithic: Middle Stone AgeMiddle Stone Age►Neo-lithic:Neo-lithic: New Stone AgeNew Stone Age►Mega-lithicMega-lithic Built with large stonesBuilt with large stones►Parietal artParietal art Paintings in the walls of Paintings in the walls of

cavescaves

1. Origins of human life and 1. Origins of human life and cultureculture

a)a) Scientists estimate the Earth is between 4 and 5 billion Scientists estimate the Earth is between 4 and 5 billion years old.years old.

b)b) Hominids first appeared in Africa only 5,000,000 years agoHominids first appeared in Africa only 5,000,000 years ago..

… ….but what is a “hominid”?.but what is a “hominid”?

1.1. Origins of human life and cultureOrigins of human life and culture

HOMINIDHOMINID

► Hominid refers to humans and their Hominid refers to humans and their ancestors, who distinguished ancestors, who distinguished themselves from hominoids (apes).themselves from hominoids (apes).

► What are the characteristics of What are the characteristics of hominids? hominids?

1. Origins of human life and 1. Origins of human life and cultureculture

Characteristics of Characteristics of hominids:hominids:

► bipedal bipedal ► shorter armsshorter arms► better dexteritybetter dexterity► larger brainslarger brains► smaller facessmaller faces

1.Origins of human life and 1.Origins of human life and cultureculture

►Early hominidsEarly hominids ►(Australopithecus(Australopithecus , , homo habilis, homo homo habilis, homo

erectus)erectus).. Flourished 1.5 million to 200,000 years ago, Flourished 1.5 million to 200,000 years ago,

east Africa east Africa Large brain, sophisticated tools, knew how to Large brain, sophisticated tools, knew how to

control fire control fire Developed language skillsDeveloped language skills They were carnivores and hunted large animals.They were carnivores and hunted large animals. Between 500,000 and 200,000 years ago they Between 500,000 and 200,000 years ago they

migrated to Asia and Europe migrated to Asia and Europe

1.Origins of human life and 1.Origins of human life and cultureculture The The homo sapienshomo sapiens evolved in Africa, evolved in Africa,

ca. 120,000 BCE during the ca. 120,000 BCE during the Pleistocene (Ice Age). Pleistocene (Ice Age).

The The homo sapiens homo sapiens was extremely was extremely successful, had larger brain and a successful, had larger brain and a lighter skeletal structure.lighter skeletal structure.

They spread from Africa into Asia, They spread from Africa into Asia, Europe Australia and the Americas. Europe Australia and the Americas.

TimelineTimeline

► (5 million years: first hominids)(5 million years: first hominids)► Paleo-lithic: 2,500,000 up to c. 10,000 BCEPaleo-lithic: 2,500,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE 2,500.000: first stone tools2,500.000: first stone tools 30.000 BCE cave paintings, 20,000 BCE sculpture30.000 BCE cave paintings, 20,000 BCE sculpture► Meso-lithic: c. 10,000-8,000 BCEMeso-lithic: c. 10,000-8,000 BCE► Neo-lithic:Neo-lithic: New Stone AgeNew Stone Age c. 8,000-3,000 BCEc. 8,000-3,000 BCE 3,000 BCE writing and metallurgy 3,000 BCE writing and metallurgy (3,500 BCE: Bronze Age in Asia Minor)(3,500 BCE: Bronze Age in Asia Minor)

2. Paleolithic Period 2. Paleolithic Period (2,500,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(2,500,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

► hunter-gatherer nomadic cultureshunter-gatherer nomadic cultures► individuals did not accumulate private individuals did not accumulate private

propertyproperty► lived an egalitarian existence lived an egalitarian existence ► lived in small bands, about 30 to 50 members lived in small bands, about 30 to 50 members

in each group in each group ► created tools made of stonecreated tools made of stone► buried their dead with ritualsburied their dead with rituals► created artistic forms of expression:created artistic forms of expression:

Cave paintingsCave paintings Stone carvingsStone carvings

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art

►When?: Towards the end of the When?: Towards the end of the Paleolithic period (30,000-10,000 BCE)Paleolithic period (30,000-10,000 BCE)

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

►Where?:Where?:►Southern France and Northern Spain:Southern France and Northern Spain:

Lascaux, FranceLascaux, France http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/en/00.xml

Chauvet, FranceChauvet, France►http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/chauvet/en/index.html

Altamira, SpainAltamira, Spain►Altamira, SpainAltamira, Spain

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

►Exercise 1. Form and themesExercise 1. Form and themes

Lascaux, FranceLascaux, France

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

Form and themes of Paleolithic Parietal Form and themes of Paleolithic Parietal ArtArt(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

Lascaux, France, c. 15,000-10,000 BCE.Lascaux, France, c. 15,000-10,000 BCE.

► The animals do not form a group: no sharing of The animals do not form a group: no sharing of the ground line and no common orientation. the ground line and no common orientation.

►Overlapping: animals painted at different times. Overlapping: animals painted at different times. ►   There is not a narrative or indication of place.There is not a narrative or indication of place.

Form of Paleolithic Parietal ArtForm of Paleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

► The paintings are a The paintings are a pictorial definition of pictorial definition of the animals. the animals.

►   Animals are Animals are represented in profile.represented in profile.

► Use of composite view: Use of composite view: profile of body and profile of body and frontal for horns.frontal for horns.

Form of Paleolithic Parietal ArtForm of Paleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

► Perspective: use of Perspective: use of rock protuberances rock protuberances and gallery shapes.and gallery shapes.

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

►Meaning and functionMeaning and function

Meaning and Function Paleolithic Parietal Meaning and Function Paleolithic Parietal ArtArt

(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

► Penguins, Cosquer CavePenguins, Cosquer Cave

Bear and rhinoceroses, Chauvet CaveBear and rhinoceroses, Chauvet Cave

Meaning of Paleolithic Parietal ArtMeaning of Paleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

► Decorative? The paintings and Decorative? The paintings and engravings are located in the most engravings are located in the most remote areas of the caves.remote areas of the caves.

► Arrows and markings: ritual based Arrows and markings: ritual based on the belief that harming the on the belief that harming the animal’s image is like harming the animal’s image is like harming the animal itself.animal itself.

► But predators, not only animals But predators, not only animals hunted for their meat are hunted for their meat are depicted. Shaman summoning depicted. Shaman summoning powers, visions, calendar, shrine?powers, visions, calendar, shrine?

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

►Chauvet Cave:Chauvet Cave: Discovered in 1994Discovered in 1994 Oldest prehistoric paintings (30,000BCE) yet the Oldest prehistoric paintings (30,000BCE) yet the

most artistically accomplished.most artistically accomplished. Great variety of animals (13 species)Great variety of animals (13 species)

Paleolithic Parietal ArtPaleolithic Parietal Art(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(30,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

Chauvet CaveChauvet Cave

2. Paleolithic Sculpture 2. Paleolithic Sculpture (20,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(20,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

Clay bison. Clay bison.

Cave of Tuc d'Audoubert, France, c. 13,000 BCE Cave of Tuc d'Audoubert, France, c. 13,000 BCE

2. Paleolithic Sculpture 2. Paleolithic Sculpture (20,000 up (20,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)to c. 10,000 BCE)

Bison Licking an Insect Bite. Bison Licking an Insect Bite. La Madeleine, France, 20,000-12,000 BCE La Madeleine, France, 20,000-12,000 BCE

2. Paleolithic Sculpture 2. Paleolithic Sculpture (26,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(26,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

Willendorf Willendorf Figurine, Figurine,

c. 20,000 BCEc. 20,000 BCE

2. Paleolithic Period 2. Paleolithic Period (2,000,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)(2,000,000 up to c. 10,000 BCE)

Later Fertility GoddessesLater Fertility Goddesses

► Çatal Hüyük. c. 6,000 B.C Artemis of Ephesus. 1st century Çatal Hüyük. c. 6,000 B.C Artemis of Ephesus. 1st century CE Roman copyCE Roman copy

Female Representation and Women’s Female Representation and Women’s Social StatusSocial Status

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

► Agrarian RevolutionAgrarian Revolution End of the Ice AgeEnd of the Ice Age Permanent settlementPermanent settlement Domestication of animalsDomestication of animals Farming replaces huntingFarming replaces hunting Pottery, weaving developPottery, weaving develop The wheel is inventedThe wheel is invented At the end of this period metal tools appear; At the end of this period metal tools appear;

copper and tin are made into bronzecopper and tin are made into bronze

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods

(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Mesolithic and Neolithic Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods

(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)►Agriculture results Agriculture results

in awareness of in awareness of seasonal change.seasonal change.

►Regeneration Regeneration (life/death of crops, (life/death of crops, cults associated cults associated with fertility and with fertility and the contributing the contributing forces (rain))forces (rain))

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Valtorta Gorge, Spain, Valtorta Gorge, Spain, c. 8,000-3,000 BC c. 8,000-3,000 BC

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods

(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Cingle de la Mola, Spain. 7,000-4,000 BCECingle de la Mola, Spain. 7,000-4,000 BCE

Exercise 1: Paleolithic vs. Neolithic cave Exercise 1: Paleolithic vs. Neolithic cave paintingspaintings

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Paintings Paintings (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

►Human representation in communal Human representation in communal scenesscenes

► Interaction among humans and humans Interaction among humans and humans with animalswith animals

►Record of memorable events or ritualsRecord of memorable events or rituals►Located in shelters rather than in the Located in shelters rather than in the

interior of cavesinterior of caves►Less realistic, more schematicLess realistic, more schematic►MonochromeMonochrome

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Megalithic Megalithic monuments:monuments:

-burial sites-burial sites

- France, Ireland - France, Ireland andand

EnglandEngland

Menhir/ monolith Menhir/ monolith

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Megalithic monuments: DolmenMegalithic monuments: Dolmen

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Dolmen from Antequera, Spain, c. 2800 BCE.Dolmen from Antequera, Spain, c. 2800 BCE.

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Megalithic monuments: Megalithic monuments:

AlignmentsAlignments

Carnac, France, c. 2,800 BCECarnac, France, c. 2,800 BCE

3. Mesolithic and Neolithic 3. Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods Periods (c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)(c. 10,000-3,000 BCE)

Megalithic Megalithic monuments:monuments:

Cromlech/ Cromlech/

Circle of stonesCircle of stones

Stonehenge (England), c. 2750-Stonehenge (England), c. 2750-

1500 BCE1500 BCE