The earliest examples of art and cultural production date back 77,000 years ago in the form of inscribed ocher and perforated shells in South Africa. During the Paleolithic period between 77,000-10,000 BCE, nomadic hunter-gatherer populations in Europe created cave paintings like those found in Altamira, Spain and Lascaux, France depicting animals. Female figurines known as "Venuses" were also produced, like the Woman from Willendorf in Austria. During the Neolithic period between 10,000-3,000 BCE, permanent settlements emerged and megalithic structures like Stonehenge in England were constructed as cultures transitioned to an agricultural lifestyle.

2. 1-7, Woman from Willendorf, Paleolithic, 24,000 BCE

3. 1-11, Hall of the Bulls, Lascaux Cave, Paleolithic, 15,000 BCE

4. 1-24, Jomon Vessel, Paleolithic, 12,000 BCE

6. Dreading…

8. Earliest Cultural Products Inscribed Ocher, South Africa, 77,000 years agoI Perforated Shells, South Africa, 75,000 years ago Hand Axe, Tanzania, 60,000 years ago

10. “Characteristics” of Paleolithic Nomadic Lifestyle Sustaining life through gathering plants and hunting Development of abstract thinking and basic problem solving skills.

11. “Prehistoric art is _________, maybe…”

12. What we’re working with… Mammoth Hut, excavation at Mezhirich, Ukraine Mammoth Hut, reconstruction at Mezhirich, Ukraine

17. Lascaux

18. Map of Major Paintings Lascaux, France c.15,000 BCE

20. Film still. Fantastic Mr. Fox. 2009. Directed by Wes Anderson. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

21. Chauvet

22. Chauvet, France, 32,000-30,000 BCE

23. George Stubbs. Whistlejacket. c.1762. Oil on canvas, 9’7” x 8’1”. National Gallery, London. Wall painting with horses, rhinoceroses, and aurochs. Chauvet Cave. c.32,000-30,000 BCE. Paint on limestone. Approx. half life-size. (Stokstad 1-10)

24. Pech Merle

25. Pech Merle, France, 25,000-24,000 BCE (Horses), 15,000 BCE (Hands)

26. Chapel of Mammoths, Pech Merle, France , 15,000 BCE

27. Ceiling of the Archer, Pech Merle, France, 15,000 BCE

28. Enclosed Forms = Female Straight Lines = Male

29. Western Arnhem Land

30. “Rainbow Serpent,” Western Arnhem Land, Australia, 6000 BCE Western Arnhem Land, Australia 2000-2002 CE

33. Partial map of Prehistoric Europe and Near East.

34. Houses, Çatalhöyük, Turkey, c. 7400-6200

35. Reconstruction drawing of Çatalhöyük, with tending of goats. Schematic reconstruction drawing of a section of Level VI. Çatalhöyük (Turkey). c.6000-5000 BCE. (related to Stokstad pages 14-15)

36. Reconstruction drawing of a house in Çatalhöyük. c.7400-6200 BCE. (illustrated on Stokstad page 15)

37. View of Mt. Hasan (Hasan Dağ), Turkey. Landscape with volcanic eruption (?), from copy of wall painting at Çatalhöyük. c.6150 BCE.

38. Partial map of Prehistoric Europe and Near East.

39. Great stone tower built into the settlement wall Jericho c.8000-7000 BCE

40. Plastered Skull, Jericho, 7000-6000 BCE

42. Çatalhöyük Jericho

45. start end

47. Critical Thinking Questions What are the strengths and weaknesses of the major theories about Paleolithic cave painting? What are the major technological and artistic developments of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras? What was the significance of calling female figures, such as the Woman from Willendorf, “Venus”? How does the existence of Jomon pottery upset conventional theories about the role of pottery in human development? What are some obstacles for archaeologists in interpreting prehistoric materials?

48. Inkshedding What material has left the biggest impression on you this week? What material do you still feel uncomfortable about?