Prehistoric Art
“Prehistoric” describes anyone or anything that lived or existed before 5,500 B.C. (before
Christ). This is approximately the time during which written historical records began to
be kept. Before this, there is no evidence of written information to be passed to later
generations.
Art, however, has been found from the caveman days. Archaeologists have
discovered not only cave paintings, but also jewelry, carvings, and sculptures.
The oldest of this work can be dated to the Upper Paleolithic Age (35,000 to
10,000 B.C.). In studying the art of prehistoric man, we can see that while they
were not educated, they were quite advanced in how they chose to express
themselves.
For example, archaeologists have found many carvings of animals and people.
They are made of ivory and bone, and depict objects as seen from prehistoric
people's eyes. Since hunting wild animals was such a large part of their lives, this
is what is depicted.
Most artists create art about what they know best, and what is close to them.
Prehistoric people were no different.
The Upper Paleolithic people also left behind a lot of engravings in stone, ivory
and bone. Again, they depicted subjects that were a large part of their lives, such
as fish and other animals.
In addition, their carvings and engravings of women may have symbolized
fertilility and childbirth.
The most well-known examples of prehistoric art are cave paintings. In 1940,
scientists in France discovered what are now the most famous, complete cave
paintings known. Painted in bright red, black, yellow, and brown, these paintings
depict buffalo hunting, as well as scenes of home and community.
Just like artists of later times, prehistoric craftsmen wanted to communicate the
importance of everyday life and objects. Just as we do, prehistoric people
depicted life through art.
Source: Monkeyshines on Art & Great Artists, 2001, p5, 2p