🖼AP Art History Unit 1 – Global Prehistoric Art, 30,000–500 BCE

Key Concepts and Timeline

• Prehistoric art refers to art produced before the advent of written records, spanning from roughly 30,000 BCE to 500 BCE
• The Upper Paleolithic period (30,000-10,000 BCE) marked the emergence of the first known art forms, including cave paintings, figurines, and jewelry
• The Neolithic period (10,000-3,000 BCE) saw the development of agriculture, leading to more permanent settlements and advancements in art production
• The Bronze Age (3,000-1,000 BCE) introduced metalworking techniques, allowing for the creation of more complex and durable art objects
• The Iron Age (1,000-500 BCE) marked the widespread use of iron, leading to further advancements in art and technology
• Key terms: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, cave paintings, figurines, metalworking

Major Prehistoric Art Forms

• Cave paintings depict animals, hunting scenes, and abstract symbols, providing insight into the lives and beliefs of prehistoric people (Lascaux, Chauvet)
• Figurines, such as the Venus of Willendorf, represent fertility, motherhood, and the female form
  • Carved from materials like stone, bone, and ivory
  • Often feature exaggerated body parts and lack facial details
• Megalithic structures, including stone circles (Stonehenge) and dolmens, served ceremonial and astronomical purposes
• Portable art objects, such as decorated tools, weapons, and jewelry, showcase the artistic skills and creativity of prehistoric people
• Petroglyphs and rock engravings found on rock surfaces and cave walls depict animals, humans, and abstract designs
• Pottery and ceramics emerged during the Neolithic period, featuring decorative patterns and designs

Notable Prehistoric Sites and Artifacts

• Lascaux Cave (France): Features over 600 paintings of animals, human figures, and abstract symbols, dating back to approximately 17,000 BCE
• Chauvet Cave (France): Contains some of the oldest known cave paintings, with depictions of animals and human handprints dating back to around 30,000 BCE
• Venus of Willendorf (Austria): A small, carved figurine depicting a female form with exaggerated features, dating back to around 25,000 BCE
• Stonehenge (England): A prehistoric monument consisting of a ring of standing stones, believed to have been constructed between 3000 and 2000 BCE
• Altamira Cave (Spain): Features polychrome cave paintings of bison, horses, and other animals, dating back to around 15,000 BCE
• Göbekli Tepe (Turkey): A Neolithic site featuring large stone pillars and circular structures, believed to have served a ceremonial purpose

Materials and Techniques

• Prehistoric artists used readily available materials, such as stone, bone, ivory, clay, and natural pigments (ochre, charcoal)
• Cave paintings were created using techniques like drawing, painting, and spraying pigments using hollow bones or reeds
  • Artists utilized natural contours of cave walls to create a sense of depth and movement
  • Techniques such as chiaroscuro and perspective were used to create the illusion of volume and space
• Figurines and portable art objects were carved using stone tools, such as flint and obsidian
• Pottery was formed by hand using coiling and pinching techniques, and later with the invention of the potter's wheel
• Megalithic structures were built using large stones, often transported over great distances and erected using ramps, levers, and rollers
• Petroglyphs were created by pecking, incising, or carving designs into rock surfaces using stone tools

Cultural and Social Context

• Prehistoric art served various purposes, including religious, ceremonial, and communicative functions
• Cave paintings may have been used in shamanic rituals, as a means of communicating with the spirit world or ensuring successful hunts
• Figurines, such as the Venus of Willendorf, likely served as fertility symbols or representations of mother goddesses
  • The exaggerated features of these figurines emphasize the importance of reproduction and nurturing in prehistoric societies
• Megalithic structures, like Stonehenge, were used for astronomical observations, religious ceremonies, and social gatherings
  • The construction of these monuments required significant labor and organization, indicating the presence of complex social structures
• Portable art objects, such as decorated tools and jewelry, may have served as status symbols or gifts, reinforcing social bonds and hierarchies
• The emergence of pottery during the Neolithic period coincided with the development of agriculture and more settled lifestyles, enabling the storage and preparation of food

Symbolism and Interpretation

• Prehistoric art is often highly symbolic, with images and objects representing abstract concepts, beliefs, and values
• Animal depictions in cave paintings may symbolize the importance of hunting, the power of nature, or the spiritual connection between humans and animals
  • The frequent representation of horses, bison, and other prey animals suggests their significance in the lives of prehistoric people
• The female figurines, like the Venus of Willendorf, are believed to symbolize fertility, motherhood, and the life-giving power of women
  • The lack of facial features and emphasis on reproductive organs may indicate a focus on the universal aspects of femininity rather than individual identity
• Geometric patterns and abstract symbols in prehistoric art may represent spiritual or cosmological concepts, such as the cycle of life, the movement of celestial bodies, or the interconnectedness of all things
• The alignment of megalithic structures with astronomical events, such as the summer and winter solstices, suggests a deep understanding of the natural world and a desire to harmonize human activities with cosmic cycles
• The interpretation of prehistoric art remains speculative, as the specific meanings and intentions of the artists are lost to time

Influence on Later Art Movements

• Prehistoric art laid the foundation for the development of visual arts throughout history, influencing styles, techniques, and subject matter
• The simplicity and abstraction of prehistoric art inspired modern artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, who sought to break free from traditional representational art
  • Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) drew inspiration from African and prehistoric art, featuring angular, mask-like faces and distorted forms
• The Surrealist movement, led by artists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, drew on the dreamlike and symbolic qualities of prehistoric art to explore the subconscious mind
• The concept of "primitivism" in art, which emerged in the early 20th century, was influenced by the perceived purity and authenticity of prehistoric and non-Western art forms
• Land art and environmental art movements of the 1960s and 1970s, such as the works of Robert Smithson and Andy Goldsworthy, echoed the site-specificity and use of natural materials in prehistoric art
• Contemporary artists continue to draw inspiration from prehistoric art, incorporating elements of symbolism, abstraction, and the use of natural materials into their works

Exam Tips and Common Questions

• Be familiar with the key terms and concepts related to prehistoric art, such as Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age
• Know the major prehistoric art forms, including cave paintings, figurines, megalithic structures, portable art objects, and pottery
• Be able to identify and describe notable prehistoric sites and artifacts, such as Lascaux Cave, the Venus of Willendorf, and Stonehenge
  • Pay attention to the location, approximate date, and key features of each site or artifact
• Understand the materials and techniques used in prehistoric art, such as the use of natural pigments, carving, and pottery-making methods
• Be prepared to discuss the cultural and social context of prehistoric art, including its religious, ceremonial, and communicative functions
  • Consider how art reflects the values, beliefs, and lifestyles of prehistoric societies
• Analyze the symbolism and interpretation of prehistoric art, recognizing the limitations of our understanding due to the lack of written records
• Identify the influence of prehistoric art on later art movements, such as modernism, surrealism, and land art
• Common questions may ask you to compare and contrast prehistoric art forms, discuss the significance of a particular site or artifact, or analyze the cultural and social context of prehistoric art