Prehistoric Art

Bronze Age

During the 3rd millennium BCE, however, the Bronze Age began in Europe, bringing with it a

new medium for art. The increased efficiency of bronze tools also meant an increase in

productivity, which led to a surplus — the first step in the creation of a class of artisans. Because

of the increased wealth of society, luxury goods began to be created, especially decorated

weapons.

Examples include ceremonial bronze helmets, ornamental ax-heads and swords, elaborate

instruments such as lurer, and other ceremonial objects without a practical purpose, such as the

oversize Oxborough Dirk. Special objects are made in gold; many more gold objects have

survived from Western and Central Europe than from the Iron Age, many mysterious and strange

objects ranging from lunulas, apparently an Irish speciality, the Mold Cape and Golden hats.

Pottery from Central Europe can be elaborately shaped and decorated. Rock art, showing

scenes from the religious rituals have been found in many areas, for example

in Bohuslän, Sweden and the Val Camonica in northern Italy.

In the Mediterranean, the Minoan civilization was highly developed, with palace complexes from

which sections of frescos have been excavated. Contemporary Ancient Egyptian art and that of

other advanced Near Eastern cultures can no longer be treated as "prehistoric".

9 June 2014 Monday