This is the first post in the Ancient Art series. I thought it would be good to start in the earliest of art history- prehistory. Though the objects our earliest ancestors made were perhaps made for different purposes than we would consider using “modern” art for, I still believe it is art.
Roots to me are important; who were our ancestors? what were they like? how did prehistoric man live? and what was the process that allowed me to exist now, how did I come to live in this period of time? History can be an indication not only of where we come from, but where we are going. There is much to learn from our ancestors, even those who came millennia before us.
“Tan-Tan Venus”
This is a photo of the Tan-Tan Venus, an artifact found on the bank of River Draa in 1999 during an archeological survey in Morocco by Lutz Fiedler. The figure has been dated between 300,000 and 500,000 years old. There are specks of brilliant red matter which are thought to be paint, though some archeologists say that the rock could have come to resemble a human figure through natural wear on the rock. Is this incredible or what? Made by very distant human ancestors hundreds of thousands of years ago to represent something. Consider that.
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This “mask” was found on the banks of the river Loire in France. It is about 35,000 years old and holds a likeness to that of a human face, and may be one of the best examples of art by Neanderthal man ever found. It is 10 centimeters (almost 4 inches) tall and has a bone splinter pushed through a hole. Researchers also say that there is clear evidence of it having been worked; pieces were chipped off the whole to give it shape. Perhaps there are no pictures of prehistoric man, but this mask is a wonderful alternative. 
Another exceptional prehistoric art set is found in France- Chauvet Cave, which was discovered in 1994 and contains the oldest rock art ever found! This is literally an art gallery of animals, and to me, it is an astounding discovery. In fact, some of the paintings have been dated to 31,000 years old. This dispels the notion that early humans did not/were unable to produce art. I think prehistoric man was much more intelligent than we give him credit for.
The Chauvet Cave contains hundreds of paintings and at least 13 different species of animals, “including those which have rarely or never been found in other Ice age paintings. Rather than the more usual animals of the hunt that predominate in Paleolithic cave art, such as horses, cattle and reindeer, the walls of the Chauvet Cave are covered with predatory animals – lions, panthers, bears, owls, rhinos and hyenas.” Pretty incredible, right?
Text source: LINK
One last thing- the video below gives you a taste of what prehistoric art is about. It’s a very short 3-minute clip from a BBC show, and it is well worth watching.
If you are further interested in your distant ancestry I suggest you take a look at this detailed and interactive map of human evolution and population routes. Link: http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/journey/
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I studied some of this while I was at school and you can’t really tell from these pictures but these drawings have been found in all parts of the world. Some are incredibly massive works. Very interesting how even early man wanted to express himself.
I always enjoy information about prehistoric times – and prehistoric art is no exception. The video made me wanna see and learn more. Thank you for this excellent post about ancient art and pictures of prehistoric man!!
I am so fascinated by prehistoric times. Years ago I thought I wanted to be an archeologist. Art has always been in existence…as man has always been creative. It takes form based on what is important in that day and what is felt to be worthy of preservation, as well as probably being fun! I imagine fun, like art has always existed…at least I hope so!
I loved the video. I never new about this cave. I learn something on this site all the time. I would love to take a trip like that and see the artwork up close. That would be amazing.