This document provides an overview of prehistoric art in Europe from the Paleolithic to Neolithic periods. It discusses dating conventions, outlines of periods, cave paintings featuring animals from the Paleolithic, sculptures like the Lion-Man and Venus figurines, and megalithic structures from the Neolithic like Stonehenge and menhir alignments. Key points covered include the earliest art dating back 30,000 years, materials and techniques used, and debates around meanings and purposes of prehistoric artwork.

1. Chapter 1Prehistoric Art in Europe

2. Dating Conventions and AbbreviationsB.C.=before ChristB.C.E.=before the Common EraA.D.=Anno Domini(in the year of our Lord)C.E.=Common Erac. or ca.= circa C.=century

3. Outline of Prehistoric PeriodPaleolithicLowerMiddle UpperNeolithic

4. Paleolithic Age“Old Stone Age” - 2,500,000 – 10,000 BCTechnological advancement from spear to bow/arrow = better huntingAppearance of Homo sapiens sapiens(-120,000)Cro-Magnon ManEuropeStone Ax = chop down trees & make boatsHunting large animals required 4-5 “bands” of people working togetherChief status for leaderCave Paintings

5. Homo Sapiens Sapiens

6. Shelter or Architecture?

7. Architecture of Mammoth-Bone Houses Mammoth bone dwellingfrom Ukraineca. 16,000-10,000 B.C.E.

9. Artifacts or Works of Art?

10. Lion-Humanfrom Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germanyca. 30,000-26,000 B.C.E.mammoth ivory11 3/8 in. high

11. SculptureOldest surviving art objectsMade from bone, ivory, stone, or antlersEither engraved (by incising an outlined figure with a sharp tool), carved in deep relief or fully rounded three-dimensionLion-Human is half man, half beast

12. Female Figurines

13. Venus of Willendorffrom Willendorf, Austriaca. 28,000-25,000 B.C.E.limestone4 1/4 in. high

14. “Venus” of Willendorf

15. Other Female BeautiesWoman of Lespuguefrom cave of Les Rideaux, Franceca. 20,000 B.C.E.mammoth ivory5 3/4 in. high

16. Various European “Venus” figures

17. Modern Exaggeration

19. The Meaning of Cave PaintingsThe first “paintings” were probably made 15,000 years agoPictures of bison, deer, horses, cattle, mammoths & boars are in the most remote recesses of the caves, from the entranceScholars proposed the social function of art lead to totemistic rites and increase ceremonies used to enhance fertility

20. The Meaning of Cave PaintingsArcheologists speculate the animal images were meant to guarantee a successful huntDrawing a picture of it gave you power over it?Sympathetic magicArtwork has been depicted with realistic features that enables scholars to identify animals

21. Chauvet Cave paintingsVallon-Pont-d’Arc, Ardèche, Franceca. 30,000-28,000 B.C.E.pigment on stone

23. Not intended for long-term use?Used for rituals?Pech-Merle Cave paintingsLot, Franceca. 22,000 B.C.E.pigment on stone

25. Lascaux Cave paintingsLascaux, Dordogne, Franceca. 15,000-13,000 B.C.E.pigment on stone

26. Twisted Perspective – horns, eyes & hooves are shown as seen from the front, yet heads & bodies are rendered in profile

27. Prehistoric Art ToolsCave artists used charcoal to outline the walls; sometimes they incised the wall with sharp stones or charcoal sticks

28. The “paints” used were ground minerals like red & yellow ochre

29. The minerals were applied directly on the damp limestone walls

30. Altamira Cave paintingsSantander, Spainca. 12,000-11,000 B.C.E.pigment on stone

31. Bison CeilingArtists used the irregularities of the cave to create sculptural effects by painting over them

32. Neolithic RevolutionEnd of Ice Age (100,000 – 8000 BCE) brought ability to search for new foodSystemic Agriculture – Making the conscious decision to plant & grow foodDomestication – Raising goats, sheep, pigs & cattleDevelopment of permanent, year-round settlements (and eventually, civilization)

33. Skara Brae ArchitectureNeolithic settlement in northern Scotland3100 and 2600 BCECorbeling – layers of stones are piled on top of each other to form walls without mortar

35. Megalithic Architecture“Large stone” (mega + lithos)Powerful religious or political figures and beliefs was the impetus for these massive building projects2 types:Dolmen – large, vertical stones with a covering slab like a giant table (mounded over with dirt to form a cairn)Menhir – single stone set on its endPositioned:Henge– circular arrangement of stonesAlignment – in rows

37. StonehengeSalisury Plain, Wiltshire, Englandca. 2,550-1,600 B.C.E.sarsen and bluestone

39. Stonehenge: England’s First Rock GroupSeries of concentric circles & circular shapesOuter circle of 13 foot high gray sandstones, called sarsen stones, topped by a continuous lintelThey weigh up to 26 tons each!http://youtube.com/watch?v=DewEKz9TzmM

40. Built it and They Will Come?

41. How Did They Do That?!Lacked bronze or iron tools and, possibly, the wheelTransported the stones by barge or sledHeel stone standing upright, weighs 35 tons and was brought in from 23 miles awayRaising of the stones was done in stages by prying the ends up and inserting timber beneathAdded layer after layer and then removed the elevated scaffolding

42. BanksyStonehenge Port-A-PottiesGlastonbury, England2008metal and plasticJim ReindersCarhengeAlliance, Nebraska1987metal

43. Could Coral Castle Provide an Answer?

45. Menhir alignments at Ménec,Carnac, Franceca. 4,250-3,750 B.C.E.

46. various MenhirsIreland, Scotland, England, France

47. DolmensIreland, Scotland, England, France