Paleolithic Art

Paleolithic Art

Paleolithic art, dating back to the late Paleolithic period 40,000-10,000 B.C. (the Stone Age), is one of the most beautiful, natural periods of cave art and clay sculptures. Created by Nomadic hunters and gatherers with ivory, wood, and bone, these figures were thought to be symbolic and have some magical or ritual relevance. Figures and drawings have been found in all parts of the world dating back to the Cro-Magnon man as late as 60,000 years ago.

There are two different periods of overlapping periods. The first, dating between 14,000-13,500 B.C., is the Aurignacio-Perigordian. This period included the contents of the Lauscaux cave paintings, the many sculptures at Laussel, and the voluptuous feminine figures called Venuses (Columbia Press, 1). The second, named the Solutres-Magdalenian period, dating back to 14,000-9,500 B.C., includes murals of Rouffignac and Niaux, and the ceiling decors in Spain (Columbia Press, 1).

Paleolithic art falls into two distinct categories: portable pieces and cave art. Portable art was carved from bone, stone, or modeled from clay. Most has been found in Europe, Africa, and Siberia (Encarta, 1). The cave art comprised mostly of drawings and paintings recovered in mostly Spain and France (Versaware, 1). A possible third art category is mentionable also. Rock art is comprised of carvings and drawings on rock surfaces, but little of this art has been discovered (Encarta, 1). This form of art has founded many of today’s drawings, languages, and cultures.

The first discovery was in the 1860’s by French Paleontologist, Eduard Lartet. The decorations were estimated back to the Stone Age because of the use of Ice Age animal bones. Researchers soon were digging everywhere in search of objects, ignoring cave drawings (Encarta, 1). In the 1880’s, a landowner discovered a cave in Spain filled with art and structural objects. Hiding it at first, researchers revealed it to the world that helped people learn to accept cave art for what it really was, an art. Many sites were uncovered shortly after, dating back to over 32,000 years (Versaware, 1).

Since 1981, archeologists have also found art outside of the caves such as engravings of humans, horses, and cattle, which were about 20,000 years old. Paleolithic findings, if surviving erosion, are now becoming more common throughout the world (Columbia, 1).

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...ed spray paint, which was blown either out of a tube or out of their mouths (Versaware, 1). Because they had none of the advantages that we have today, their creations, which was more difficult to fully complete, can be considered a precious, unique works of art.

To be sure that these items are genuinely prehistoric, radiocarbon dating was used (Encarta, 4). Scientists can determine the true age from only a tiny amount of pigment in the paint. One of the oldest, found in Europe and Asia, was carved in ivory and dates back to about 32,000 years. Another, discovered in England in 1996, was found to be about 60,000 years old (Columbia, 1)! Few endure erosion, but the survivors make excellent timelines of the era’s that remain unclear to researchers.

This beautiful Stone Age present to our time suggests that art was visible and practiced from close to the beginning of time. The decorated caves and figures have helped us learn of other cultures and their distinctive expressions of life-forms. Still indistinct about the main purpose of this creative art form, archaeologists continue to dig and discover new pieces that may add to the picture and help to solve this ongoing puzzle.