Cave Art Visual Discovery

Early Humans and the Rise of Civilization History Ms. Pang

I see __________________in the image. I think this image shows ________________________________. I wonder __________________________________.

I see __________________in the image. I think this image shows ________________________________. I wonder __________________________________.

I see __________________in the image. I think this image shows ________________________________. I wonder __________________________________.

Skills of the Prehistoric Artists

Most of the animals were painted in shades of red, brown, and black. Though their tools were crude, prehistoric artists were able to demonstrate a knowledge and an affection for the animals they hunted, capturing the power of a bison, the fleetness of a horse and the gentleness of a deer.

The Cave Paintings of Altamira

Discovered in 1879

One noteworthy example of prehistoric art is a painting of a bison from the ceiling in Altamira. Notice the animal is not placed in a setting. These earliest known works of art were made during an age that began some 30,000 years ago.

The Cave Paintings of Lascaux

Discovered in 1941

Horse (15,000-10,000 BC)

Caves in southern France and northern Spain have numerous paintings so well preserved that many scholars first thought they had been created at a much later date. It is unlikely they are the very first works of art ever createdthey are far too sophisticated.

Wounded Bison Attacking a Man 15,000-10,000 BC