Prehistoric Art
Subject Sampler
Directions: Go to the link provided. Answer each question using the website.
Lascaux – (The only way to visit these cave paintings is on the web! Unless you are a distinguished scientist!)
http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/?lng=en#/en/00.xml
Click on “a visit to the cave”. As the virtual reality takes you through the cave, names of panels will come up
with “explorer” under them. When you are in the explorer section, you can click on individual pictures in the
panel and find information about them.
1. Find the “Unicorn Panel” in the first chamber (hall of bulls) of the cave. Then, find the “unicorn”. What
theory do the scientists believe explains the “unicorn”?
2. In the axial gallery, look at the right panel. Click on the falling cow. What two aspects make this image one of
the “most accomplished” (best done) in the cave?
3. Find two other images:
Where is it?
What is it
called?
What are two
ways it is
unique?
4. Why do you think there are no images that show backgrounds, plants, or scenery?
5. If you point your mouse over the left side of the screen, a table of contents will come up. Click on
“preservation interventions”. When was the cave first open to visitors and when did it close to visitors?
6. Do you think the cave should be reopened to visitors? Why or why not?
Paleolithic Art Objects from Russia
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/03/hm3_2_1.html
7. Choose your favorite of the five figurines and write its name and two details about it here.
8. Why did you choose that one as your favorite?
9. Why do you think these objects are all small?
Created by Jodee Johnson…2009
Venus of Willendorf (sometimes known as Woman of Willendorf)
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/prehistoric/venus-of-willendorf.htm
10. Copy and paste a picture of her. Label it with date and place.
11. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/prehistoric/venus-figurines.htm
Go to this website to see a variety of “Venus Figurines” that have been found throughout the world. Why are
they called “Venus Figurines and give at least one theory of why the Stone Age people created them?
Created by Jodee Johnson…2009
Stonehenge & Other Megalithic Architecture
http://sacredsites.com/europe/england/stonehenge.html
12. Sites like Stonehenge are not quite as rare as one might believe. How many rings of stone exist in England?
13. What are the dates of the Neolithic Period?
14. What human endeavor marked the beginning of the Neolithic Period?
15. What is the greatest myth about Stonehenge started in the 17th century and why is it wrong?
16. What was originally considered to be the function of Stonehenge (pre-1950)?
17. According to the website, what is now considered the function of Stonehenge?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/stonehenge/article1.shtml
18. Explain the new theory of the purpose of Stonehenge.
19. Why were the bluestones dragged 250 KM to be erected at Stonehenge?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/stonehenge/panorama.shtml
20. Which stones are the bluestones – the big ones or the small ones you see in this picture?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/434821.stm
21. This article mentions that Stonehenge and other stone circles like it are more permanent versions of
wooden temples. Near what enormous stone circle is Woodhenge found?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/474977.stm
22. Alright – Here is an opinion question: Read the article about the face at Stonehenge. Do you believe
the British Archaelogist who recently “discovered” the face is correct? Why or why not?
Neolithic Ceramics
http://faculty.etsu.edu/kortumr/01prehistory/htmdescriptionpages/11beaker.htm
23. Copy and paste a picture of the Earthenware Beaker from Susa Iran. Label it with title, place, and date.
24. Why does it make sense that clay pots are one of the most common artifacts from the Neolithic period?
25. Name some of the abstracted animals found on this ceramic piece.
26. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, What is the difference between Paleolithic Art and Neolithic Art (style-wise)? (This
is worth more points so answer well!)
27. Opinion time: Do you prefer the Paleolithic Style (found in Lascaux Caves & Venus of Willendorf) or the
Neolithic Style (found in the ceramics of the time)? Why?
Prehistoric Art
Subject Sampler
Created by Jodee Johnson…2009
key
Directions: Go to the link provided. Answer each question using the website.
Lascaux – (The only way to visit these cave paintings is on the web! Unless you are a distinguished scientist!)
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/
Click on “a visit to the cave”. As the virtual reality takes you through the cave, names of panels will come up
with “explorer” under them. When you are in the explorer section, you can click on individual pictures in the
panel and find information about them.
1. Find the “Unicorn Panel” in the first chamber (hall of bulls) of the cave. Then, find the “unicorn”. What
theory do the scientists believe explains the “unicorn”?
That it was a feline type animal that the artist was trying to disguise
2. In the axial gallery, look at the right panel. Click on the falling cow. What two aspects make this image one of
the “most accomplished” (best done) in the cave?
It is anatomically correct; it also shows motion
3. Why do you think there are no images that show backgrounds, plants, or scenery?
Opinion – the animals were the most important aspect of the paintings
4. If you point your mouse over the left side of the screen, a table of contents will come up. Click on
“preservation interventions”. When was the cave first open to visitors and when did it close to visitors?
1948, 1963
5. Click on White and Green Disease. What is it and what is it caused by?
Green disease is a group of algae. White disease is a calcite layer. Both are caused by too many people coming
into the cave (condensation from their breath).
6. Do you think the cave should be reopened to visitors? Why or why not?
Opinion
Paleolithic Art Objects
7. Copy and paste your favorite artwork from these. Label it with name, date, and website.
2 pts
1 pt student can have any image from website
1 pt date
8. Why is the piece you pasted for #4 your favorite?
1 pt opinion
9. Why do you think these objects are all small?
1 pt opinion
Venus of Willendorf (sometimes known as Woman of Willendorf)
10. Copy and paste a picture of her. Label it with name, date
Venus of Willendorf, 25,000 BC
11. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/prehistoric/venus-figurines.htm
Go to this website to see a variety of “Venus Figurines” that have been found throughout the world.
A. Why are they called “Venus Figurines and B. give at least one theory of why the Stone Age people
created them?
A. Archeologists believe that this was the ideal form of beauty at the time so they named the figurines
after the Roman goddess of beauty.
B. Fertility symbol, religious icon,
Created by Jodee Johnson…2009
Stonehenge & Other Megalithic Architecture
http://sacredsites.com/europe/england/stonehenge.html
12. Sites like Stonehenge are not quite as rare as one might believe. How many rings of stone exist in England?
900
13. What are the dates of the Neolithic Period?
4000-2000 BC
14. What human endeavor marked the beginning of the Neolithic Period?
The invention of farming
15. What is the greatest myth about Stonehenge started in the 17th century and why is it wrong?
That druids created it; they didn’t come along until much later in history
16. What was originally considered to be the function of Stonehenge (pre-1950)?
Tribal boundaries of chiefs, ceremonies
17. According to the website, what is now considered the function of Stonehenge?
Astronomical observatory, calendar
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/stonehenge/article1.shtml
18. Explain the new theory of the purpose of Stonehenge.
People came there to be healed
19. Why were the bluestones dragged 250 KM to be erected at Stonehenge?
They were thought to have healing powers because they were quarried from an area that had many healing
natural springs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/stonehenge/panorama.shtml
20. Which stones are the bluestones – the big ones or the small ones you see in this picture?
small
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/434821.stm
21. This article mentions that Stonehenge and other stone circles like it are more permanent versions of
wooden temples. Near what enormous stone circle is Woodhenge found?
Avebury
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/474977.stm
22. Alright – Here is an opinion question: Read the article about the face at Stonehenge. Do you believe
the British Archaelogist who recently “discovered” the face is correct? Why or why not?
Opinion supported by a good explanation / detail
Neolithic Ceramics
Created by Jodee Johnson…2009
17. Copy and paste a picture of the Earthenware Beaker from Susa Iran. Label it with title, place, and
date.
Earthenware Beaker, Susa, Iran; 5,000-4,000 BC (4 pts)
18. Why does it make sense that clay pots are one of the most common artifacts from the Neolithic period?
1 pt - The people became farmers so they needed a place to store food.
19. Name some of the abstracted animals found on this ceramic piece.
Birds, dogs, ibex, goat
20. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, What is the difference between Paleolithic Art and Neolithic Art (style-wise)? (This
is worth more points so answer well!)
4 pts – Paleolithic = Naturalistic Style vs. Neolithic = Abstract Style
Paleolithic = small objects for nomadic people vs. Neolithic = permanent structures & objects
for farming communities
21. Opinion time: Do you prefer the Paleolithic Style (found in Lascaux Caves & Venus of Willendorf) or the
Neolithic Style (found in the ceramics of the time)? Why?
2 pts – Opinion: give good specific reasons why you like one over the other.
Created by Jodee Johnson…2009