Prehistoric art developed during three main periods - Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. During the Paleolithic period, humans were hunter-gatherers who drew and painted animals on cave walls between 15,000-13,000 BCE. Common subjects included bison, horses, and deer. In the Neolithic period, agriculture became widespread as humans domesticated plants and animals. Significant structures from this time include Stonehenge in England and massive Moai statues on Easter Island, Chile, though how the latter were transported remains unclear. Prehistoric art provides insights into early human life, culture, and beliefs.

1. PREHISTORIC ART
Prehistoric Art
Prehistoric art is defined as the time before writing. It divided into three
periods which is Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone
Age) and Neolithic (New Stone Age). During Paleolithic period, human
were migratory hunters and gatherers. They relied heavily on the
animals in the area for food, clothing, shelter and tools. They used
Pictographs as symbols to communicate. Human drew and painted
important life events on cave walls. These are now called the Lascaux
Cave Paintings and are found in France (15000-13000 B.C.E). The
subjects of Paleolithic art were primarily animals (bison, horses, deer and
lions). People were only represented ‘stick’ figures at this point in time.
‘The Hall of Bulls’ is the most famous part of the caves. Different
techniques were used to place the images on the cave walls. Pigments
were ground up and mixed with animal fat, blood, oils, bone marrow or
saliva. They were blown, dabbed or painted on with a stick or a finger.
Neolithic is characterized by the domestication of plants and
animals. The greatest impact on the lives of the Neolithic
people was the transition from hunters and gatherers to
farmers. They hunting food from domesticated animals,
vegetables and fruits from farming. Villages were also
established. More than 4000 years ago, the people of
Neolithic period decided to bulid Megalith which known as
Stonehenge in Salisbury Plain, England. Stonehenge
demonstrates the first use of post and lintel construction. We
still use this technique today in modern architecture. It is
believed to have religious significance due to its many alignments to
celestial events. Moai also can be found in Neolithic period. Moai
are statues of heads carved from volcanic rock on Easter Island,
Chile. The largest Moai erected, ‘Paro’, was almost 10 metres (33
feet) high and weighed 75 tonnes. One unfinished sculpture has
been found that would have been 21 metres (69ft) tall and would
have weighed about 270 tons. It is not known exactly how the moai
were moved but the process almost certainly required human
energy, ropes, wooden sledges or rollers. Another theory is
that the moai may have been ‘walked’ by rocking them
forward.