Prehistoric Art
Name:_____________________
Project Components (parts):
Research and Understanding: You do not have to do these steps in order, but look at the readings or the video
of Lascaux before you begin the Visual Art Project. You may do them at home or at school. There are two
computers in the classroom to help you. You may sit two at a time at each computer, except mine, which only
one person may access at a time. Keep the volume low (no headphones). You will need to use a computer I
have logged in on to access the virtual tour of Lascaux.
khanacademy.org
1) Read - Prehistoric Art: Paleolithic Origins. Read online or photocopied article.
 Look up Nassarius snails – sketch their shape and coloring (check out the Fancy ones!)
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Go to: http://www.earthpigments.com/natural-earth-ocher-pigments/ look at colors, especially Red
Ocher. Draw a small square in your sketchbook, and color it Red Ocher using colored pencils. There is
not a pencil labeled Red Ocher, so you will have to create the color by using different reds and browns.
(Write down the colors you use so you can duplicate Red Ocher if you asked to do so on a test!)
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Answer these questions about the reading (in your sketchbook or on a separate piece of paper you tape
in your sketchbook):
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What do you think non-representational means?
What do you think ornamentation is in this reading?
What was etched on small pieces of red ochre (stone)?
What does Paleolithic mean?
What do you think representational means?
What do you suspect is the difference between a Prehistoric painting and a Prehistoric
drawing?
 Images at Lascaux and Altamira date back to what year?
 Paintings at Pech Merle date back to what years?
[B.C.E stands for Before Common Era. This is used now instead of B.C (Before Christ)]
 What animals are depicted in the cave at Chauvet-Pont-D’Arc?
2) Read - The Neolithic Revolution. Read online or photocopied article.
 Answer these questions about the reading (in your sketchbook or on a separate piece of paper you tape
in your sketchbook):
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What are the World-wide dates for the Neolithic period?
What does Neolithic mean?
Before the Neolithic Revolution people lived as what? What does that mean exactly?
What did a Neolithic life mean for people?
What happened to Neolithic Art?
What is the name of a very famous Neolithic sculpture (monumental) located in England?
Did Neolithic people practice a religion? T or F
Plastered skulls were only made to preserve male ancestors?
What type of writing do scholars believe developed in the Neolithic period?
3) Watch - Nude Woman (Venus of Willendorf), Jade Cong, Prehistory: Proto-Writing. Video
Reflection: Write the name of the video in your sketchbook, and list 5 things you didn’t know
before you watched the video.
4) Watch - The Caves of Lascaux. Video Reflection: Record the names of the chambers/halls.
5) Take the Prehistoric Art Quiz. Record the date you get 100% in your sketchbook. Don’t cheat.
You will see these questions again on a Test or your Art Final!
Project Components: Visual Art Project
Project: Create your own Prehistoric Cave painting.
1) Two (2) 18 x 24 inch pieces of butcher paper. To best use the paper measure 18 inches along the
edge and 24 inches up. This wastes the least amount of paper. Some folks have already done this, ask for help.
18”
24”
Roll
2) Put your name on both sheets with pen. Roll both up and secure. The location for storage to be
announced.
3) You are going to tell story involving animals!
Here are some ideas: Story about a successful hunt; a story about a scary experience involving
animals; a herd of animals on a stampede because they are spooked; a group of Nomadic people in
the process of hunting animals; animals you as a Nomadic person think are beautiful.
4) Your animals and people may be copied from Prehistoric images or you may draw your own. It’s
whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Some people can draw free hand; some cannot.
Also, there are not expected to be perfect!
5) You will have a limited palette of colors: Black, brown, mustard (yellow ochre), and red ocher.
The black will come from charcoal briquettes. Your hands are going to get dirty. Be prepared to
wash both your hands and your desk by the end of the period. If you want gloves, bring your
own!
6) Write a paragraph outlining your story. Write an additional paragraph about what it was like to
use these specific materials and supplies.
7) An Assessment Rubric will available ASAP. However, here are the things you need to be
considering:
Effort (Not hurrying to finish);
Craftsmanship (Paper cut out neatly, Figures and Animals are recognizably different;
Figures and Animals are stylistically correct for the Paleolithic time period ;
Completed documentation, including written paragraph about your story and a paragraph
about the process and materials.
Completing all steps of both components!
ASK TWO CLASSMATES BEFORE ME. TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO DO BEFORE FRANTICALLY CALLING MY NAME!
8) You MUST have read at least one article and answered the questions, watched at
least one video and completed the reflection, and cut out both sheets of paper by
Friday, Sept 13th for a passing grade on your Progress Report. You also must be
completing the daily Bell Ringers!
P.S. - I am sure we will run into some glitches. I will not sabotage your grade, if we run into problems that need to be worked out.