Cave Paintings Two ibexes, head to head Cave paintings, some estimated to be as old as 35,000 years, are the grandest and most awe-inspiring artistic creations of homo sapiens during the Paleolithic period. Lascaux Two ibexes, head to head

Chauvet – over 30,000years ago; Lascaux –over 15,000 years ago; Altamira – also about 15,000 years ago; Australia ?

Southern European Sites

Great Hall of the Bulls at Lascaux These paintings (as are most cave paintings) are deep in the caves, hard to reach, and are not touched by sunlight. The purpose of the paitnings was not public consumption. A common theory is a more mystical reason that by painting these animals they will make them abundant in real life.

Falling Cow at Lascaux Back legs slipping out, front straddling

Longhorns from Lascaux

Black Stag at Lascaux

Chauvet: Bear and panther Many more aggressive, carnivorous beasts depicted at this very early site

2 Bears at Chauvet Contours of walls used to show animal’s features, posture, and/or movement

Engraved Owl at Chauvet Head is swiveled 180^ so facing over his back

Chauvet: Assorted Animal Engravings Horse and mammoths evident to right . Others??

Back-to Back Bison at Lascaux

Giant Deer at Chauvet The next four paintings are of various animals that share common characteristics. What are those characteristics? What do they point to as a reason for creating these paitnings? Megaceros – giant deer – artist’s shading leads eye to upturned neck and humped back careful planning – surface scraped smooth

Bison from Altamira

Cow at Lascaux Neck purposely shaded, the natural contours of the rock are used to create a distended abdomen, most likely to represent pregnancy. Thus insuring a continuation of the food supply.

Horse at Lascaux Note that the horse has several spears in him and is bleeding profusely. Just like they would like to see happen in real life.

Human figure Compare the representation of the human figure to those of the animals you just saw. What conclusions can you draw? Symbols? “Duck on a Stick”? Human has same head as the bird?? Spear-thrower at man’s feet? Bison’s head definitely lowered to aggressive position

“Sign Language” at Chauvet Red dots at Chauvet – significance? – same sign found in similar chamber at outer edge of painted rooms – “end of gallery”?

Symbol in front of Falling Cow What could it mean?

More signs at Chauvet Find the tiny horse heads – is that a boomerang on the right?

Branching sign

Artist’s Handprint Chauvet Caves – finely ground red pigment – spit around artist’s hand – signature?

Lascaux Lamp Engraved symbols

Lamps: Found at Lascaux Burned animal fat – wicks made of ????

Incised Bracelet Mammoth ivory

Sculpture: Venus of Willendorf Is she pregnant? Fertility symbol, mother earth goddess? Some say she’s just fat!! Wife of the chief – obesity a sign of not having to work???

Dolni Vestonice “Venus” from Italy

Lady of Brassempoui

Stonehenge Much later than other figures. Still prehistoric. Post and Lintel construction. How built? Why built? Astronomical calendar?!

Stonehenge

Drawing of reconstructed Stonehenge