This document provides an overview of prehistoric art from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods. It describes some of the earliest works of art including the Venus of Tan-Tan figurine from 300,000-500,000 BC and the cave paintings found in the Lascaux Caves in France dating back to around 15,000-13,000 BC depicting animals. Mesolithic art is described as being more schematic using only the color red, compared to the realistic, colored drawings of the Paleolithic. Neolithic art included pottery, figurines of Mother Goddess statues, and megalithic structures like Stonehenge built around 2200 BC.

2. Stonehenge
What is it?
Who built it?
Why?
Is it art?

3. The Beginning: Prehistoric Art

4. Paleolithic Period
The Paleolithic is a
prehistoric era
distinguished by the
development of stone tools.
It covers virtually all of
humanity's time on Earth,
extending from 2.5 million
years ago to the
introduction of agriculture
around 10,000 BCE.

5. The Earliest Art-i-fact
The Venus of Tan-Tan was
found in Morocco. It is 6
centimeters long.
Dated between 300,000 and
500,000 BC.
Made from quartzite, it was
painted with red ochre.
It was discovered in 1999, during
an archaeological survey by Lutz
Fiedler.

6. Lascaux Caves
Lascaux is the setting of a
complex of caves in
southwestern France famous
for its cave paintings. They
contain some of the most
well-known (Upper
Paleolithic) art, dating back
to somewhere between
15,000 and 13,000 BC. They
consist mostly of realistic
images of large animals.
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/

7. Mesolithic Period
The Mesolithic period is the time
between the last glaciation (ca.
10,000 years BP) and beginning
of the Neolithic (ca. 5000 years
BP), when farming communities
began to be established. During
this period, humans hunted and
fished, and began to learn how to
domesticate animals and plants.
Such a large span of time
involves quite a bit of variety, and
the late Mesolithic hunters are
now known to have developed
pottery and a sedentary lifestyle.

8. Mesolithic Art
The rich art of the
Paleolithic is replaced by a
Mesolithic art with many
changes in style as well as
meaning. Upper Paleolithic
cave art depicts colored
drawings and expressive
features of animals. A full
range of color is used.
Mesolithic art in contrast is
schematic; no realistic
figures are present and only
the color red is used.

9. Neolithic Period
The Neolithic period, also called
New Stone Age, began when
men first developed agriculture
and settled in permanent
villages. It ended with the
discovery of bronze. The prime
medium of Neolithic art was
pottery. Other important artistic
expressions were statuary of the
universally worshiped Mother
Goddess and megalithic stone
monuments such as
Stonehenge.

10. Stonehenge
One of the most famous
prehistoric sites in the
world.
Located in the English
county of Wiltshire.
Archaeologists believe
the standing stones
were erected around
2200 BC.

11. Review – Prehistoric Art
Three periods of Prehistoric Art.
Paleolithic Art – Cave Paintings, Venus
figurines.
Mesolithic Art – Simple, no figures, only
red used.
Neolithic Art – Figures, Pottery and
Megaliths.

12. What is art?
What is art?
Write a paragraph describing the characteristics of art.
What are the reasons to create art?
Write a paragraph listing the reasons for creating art.
Are the Prehistoric sites and objects covered
previously art or artifacts?
Write a paragraph justifying your answer.
Site all your sources. Email your answers to: ignagnid@huronvalley.k12.mi.us

13. Resources
http://archaeology.about.com/od/mterms/g/mesolithic.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/
http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/prehistoric/mesolithic.htm
Go back to Art History Website.