Precursors of Precursors of CivilizationCivilization

Lower to Upper PaleolithicLower to Upper Paleolithic

Introduction to Introduction to PrehistoryPrehistory

• If art is part of the humanities, then we If art is part of the humanities, then we need to know when and how humans need to know when and how humans developeddeveloped

• Our ancestors probably developed 3.7 Our ancestors probably developed 3.7 million years ago, probably earliermillion years ago, probably earlier

• Toolmaking began possibly 1.5 million Toolmaking began possibly 1.5 million years agoyears ago

• Skillful toolmaking began about 1 million Skillful toolmaking began about 1 million years ago, as did the use of fireyears ago, as did the use of fire

• Art and sculpture came late; about 30,000 Art and sculpture came late; about 30,000 years agoyears ago

Overview of the the Overview of the the PeriodsPeriods

• Pre-toolmaking hominins: Australopithecines Pre-toolmaking hominins: Australopithecines (including “Lucy”)(including “Lucy”)

• ““Lucy” was Australopithecus afarensis, named Lucy” was Australopithecus afarensis, named after the Beatles tune “Lucy in the Sky with after the Beatles tune “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”Diamonds”

• Lower Paleolithic: Choppers and HandaxesLower Paleolithic: Choppers and Handaxes• Middle Paleolithic: Flake Tool TechnologyMiddle Paleolithic: Flake Tool Technology• Upper Paleolithic: Specialized Tools, Rise of the Upper Paleolithic: Specialized Tools, Rise of the

ArtsArts• Mesolithic: Rise of Settlements (Nittano, Japan)Mesolithic: Rise of Settlements (Nittano, Japan)• Neolithic: Domestication of Plants and AnimalsNeolithic: Domestication of Plants and Animals

Lucy: a.k.a Lucy: a.k.a Australopithecus AfarensisAustralopithecus Afarensis

• No, no, not No, no, not that that Lucy!Lucy!• Jeeves, can’t you get Jeeves, can’t you get anythinganything right? right?

Australopithecus Afarensis Australopithecus Afarensis and Homo Sapiens and Homo Sapiens

• Notice the following: Notice the following: • Apelike features, such asApelike features, such as• Heavy brow ridgeHeavy brow ridge• Forward-projecting lower faceForward-projecting lower face• Long armsLong arms• Curved fingersCurved fingers• Humanlike features, likeHumanlike features, like• S-shaped vertebraeS-shaped vertebrae• Bowl-shaped pelvisBowl-shaped pelvis• Arched feetArched feet• Hands capable of Hands capable of

manipulationmanipulation

Homo habilisHomo habilis: The : The HandymanHandyman

• Notice its brow ridges Notice its brow ridges and its sloping foreheadand its sloping forehead

• But its face is somewhat But its face is somewhat flatterflatter

• And its teeth are smallAnd its teeth are small• Average cranial capacity Average cranial capacity

was 680 cubic was 680 cubic centimeterscentimeters

• Compare that with Compare that with Lucy’s kind: 440 cc. on Lucy’s kind: 440 cc. on averageaverage

• Chimps average 400 ccChimps average 400 cc

Homo habilisHomo habilis and the and the Oldowan TraditionOldowan Tradition

• Homo habilisHomo habilis was the first was the first known toolmaker (upper left)known toolmaker (upper left)

• His cranial capacity averaged His cranial capacity averaged 680 cubic centimeters, 680 cubic centimeters, compared to 440 of A. compared to 440 of A. afarensis’s skullafarensis’s skull

• Hands were better adapted; Hands were better adapted; fingers were not curvedfingers were not curved

• Choppers (lower left) involved Choppers (lower left) involved knapping a few flakes off the knapping a few flakes off the corecore

• Both cores and flakes were Both cores and flakes were used.used.

Homo erectusHomo erectus or or ergasterergaster

Note:Note:• Apelike but larger Apelike but larger

craniumcranium• Postcranial SkeletonPostcranial Skeleton• Vertebrae: S ShapedVertebrae: S Shaped• Ribcage: Not funnel Ribcage: Not funnel

shaped, now like shaped, now like oursours

• Pelvis: Bowl shapedPelvis: Bowl shaped• Angle of ThighboneAngle of Thighbone

Homo erectus, the Homo erectus, the Acheulean Handaxe, and Acheulean Handaxe, and

FireFire• Notice the following:Notice the following:• Homo erectus is fully bipedalHomo erectus is fully bipedal• Cranial capacity is 1000 cc on averageCranial capacity is 1000 cc on average• Has learned to control fire (above left)Has learned to control fire (above left)• Signature tool: a well-designed Signature tool: a well-designed

handaxe, very symmetrical, with 25-75 handaxe, very symmetrical, with 25-75 retouchesretouches

• This showed a sensitivity to aesthetics This showed a sensitivity to aesthetics as well as functionas well as function

• Handaxe had multiple uses, from Handaxe had multiple uses, from cutting to chopping to piercing.cutting to chopping to piercing.

Homo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensis or or “Archaic” “Archaic” Homo sapiensHomo sapiens

• Left: Skull. Note heavy brow ridge, prognathismLeft: Skull. Note heavy brow ridge, prognathism• Right:: Artist’s conception of “Heidelberg Man”Right:: Artist’s conception of “Heidelberg Man”

Levallois Flake and Levallois Flake and Flaking TechniqueFlaking Technique

• This is part of the Middle Paleolithic tradition of This is part of the Middle Paleolithic tradition of H.heidelbergensisH.heidelbergensis

Manufacturing Levallois Manufacturing Levallois Cores and FlakesCores and Flakes

• Knapper drew outline of flake on stone moduleKnapper drew outline of flake on stone module• Strikes flake of desired shapeStrikes flake of desired shape• This required knowledge of the rock’s pattern This required knowledge of the rock’s pattern

of fractureof fracture• H. heidelbergensis prepared the rock H. heidelbergensis prepared the rock

beforehand beforehand • to control how it would break when it was to control how it would break when it was

struck and struck and • so ensure that the right shape (e.g. cutting, so ensure that the right shape (e.g. cutting,

perforation, piercing) was producedperforation, piercing) was produced

Homo neanderthalensis Homo neanderthalensis or Neanderthalsor Neanderthals

• A controversial figureA controversial figure• Some say they were a lot like Some say they were a lot like

modern humans, and that we modern humans, and that we might have their genesmight have their genes

• Others would say that they Others would say that they were too different from us to were too different from us to even be our ancestors. even be our ancestors.

• Top: a preconceived notion of Top: a preconceived notion of Neanderthal as “caveman,” Neanderthal as “caveman,” taken from an arthritic old man taken from an arthritic old man of 40 years.of 40 years.

• Bottom: artists conception of Bottom: artists conception of Neanderthal childNeanderthal child

Humanlike Attributes of Humanlike Attributes of Neanderthals INeanderthals I

• In Shanidar, Iraq, the In Shanidar, Iraq, the Neanderthals show Neanderthals show signs of compassion.signs of compassion.

• One individual had a One individual had a disability, yet lived to disability, yet lived to be 40 yearsbe 40 years

• They also seemed to They also seemed to have a conception of have a conception of an afterlifean afterlife

• This is evidenced by This is evidenced by flower pollen covering flower pollen covering this bonethis bone

Humanlike Attributes of Humanlike Attributes of Neanderthals IINeanderthals II

• Conception of an afterlifeConception of an afterlife• Was shown by the actual burial Was shown by the actual burial

site at La Ferrassie, France site at La Ferrassie, France (upper) (upper)

• There were seven tombsThere were seven tombs• The tombs included a man, a The tombs included a man, a

woman and several childrenwoman and several children• They were lying side by side They were lying side by side

(above).(above).• Below is an artist’s conception Below is an artist’s conception

of a burial taking place in of a burial taking place in Shanidar, IraqShanidar, Iraq

Mousterian TraditionMousterian Tradition

• This tool tradition is positively identified This tool tradition is positively identified with Neanderhalswith Neanderhals

• Le Moustier, France is a Neanderthal Le Moustier, France is a Neanderthal sitesite

• The tools belong to The tools belong to Middle PaleolithicMiddle Paleolithic• More sophisticated than Oldowan or More sophisticated than Oldowan or

Acheulean, both Acheulean, both Lower PaleolithicLower Paleolithic• François Bordes François Bordes categorizes the categorizes the

Mousterian into 63 typesMousterian into 63 types

Mousterian Tool Mousterian Tool AssemblageAssemblage

• Sample includes scrapers, points, and handaxesSample includes scrapers, points, and handaxes• Other types included notched objects (probably for spear Other types included notched objects (probably for spear

shafts), burins for engraving, and knivesshafts), burins for engraving, and knives

Châtelperronian: First of Châtelperronian: First of the Upper Paleolithicthe Upper Paleolithic

• Here are the later tools Here are the later tools made by Neanderthals, made by Neanderthals, the Châtelperronian the Châtelperronian

• Compare the Compare the Châtelperronian point Châtelperronian point with the scraper and with the scraper and burin from the burin from the Mousterian (above)Mousterian (above)

• Blades, characteristic of Blades, characteristic of the Upper Paleolithic, the Upper Paleolithic, are at least twice as are at least twice as long as they are wide, long as they are wide, and usually longer and usually longer (below)(below)

Upper Paleolithic: The Upper Paleolithic: The Great Leap Forward?Great Leap Forward?

• Upper Paleolithic probably begins about 50,000 Upper Paleolithic probably begins about 50,000 BPBP

• Primary AttributesPrimary Attributes• Shift from flake tools to blades, and more Shift from flake tools to blades, and more

recent sites yield small and smaller blades--recent sites yield small and smaller blades--microbladesmicroblades

• Populations subsist on greater range of animal Populations subsist on greater range of animal and plant speciesand plant species

• The sites themselves increase in sizeThe sites themselves increase in size• Increase of bone, antler, ivory, shell, and other Increase of bone, antler, ivory, shell, and other

materials for toolsmaterials for tools

Upper Paleolithic: Upper Paleolithic: Associated AttributesAssociated Attributes

• Associated AttributesAssociated Attributes• Greater use of “imported” goods: Greater use of “imported” goods: • Raw materials found that are obtainable Raw materials found that are obtainable

only at great distances from inhabited sites.only at great distances from inhabited sites.• This either suggests long distance travel or, This either suggests long distance travel or,

more likely, trade.more likely, trade.• More elaborate burials, with grave goods.More elaborate burials, with grave goods.• Appearance and elaborate use of symbols Appearance and elaborate use of symbols

and works of art.and works of art.

Upper Paleolithic: The Upper Paleolithic: The BladesBlades

• Blades begin roughly 40,000 Years BPBlades begin roughly 40,000 Years BP• Comparative efficiencyComparative efficiency• Levallois cores may produce 5 flakesLevallois cores may produce 5 flakes• Many more blades could be produced Many more blades could be produced

from same core--and with longer from same core--and with longer cutting edgecutting edge

• Unlike other traditions, blade Unlike other traditions, blade traditions are shorter livedtraditions are shorter lived

Upper Paleolithic Upper Paleolithic AssemblageAssemblage

• Upper Paleolithic Tools (left to right): biconical Upper Paleolithic Tools (left to right): biconical bone point, Perigordian flint blade, prismatic bone point, Perigordian flint blade, prismatic blade core, Solutrean Willow leaf point, double-blade core, Solutrean Willow leaf point, double-row barbed harpoon point (various sites in France)row barbed harpoon point (various sites in France)

The Solutrean PointsThe Solutrean Points

• Note the followingNote the following• There is an aesthetic as well as a practical side to these There is an aesthetic as well as a practical side to these

pointspoints• There is a conscious effort to shape them like a laurel There is a conscious effort to shape them like a laurel

leafleaf• There is variation in design. There is variation in design.

Magdalenian Tool TraditionMagdalenian Tool Tradition

• Notice that the harpoon heads (to the left) are Notice that the harpoon heads (to the left) are made of bone; ivory and wood also become made of bone; ivory and wood also become important materials in addition to stoneimportant materials in addition to stone

• Art is also coming into being, as evidenced by Art is also coming into being, as evidenced by this horse’ head carving to the right.this horse’ head carving to the right.

Themes of Upper Themes of Upper PaleolithicPaleolithic

• The following themes dominate the The following themes dominate the Upper Paleolithic:Upper Paleolithic:

• Hunting: large animals dominate the Hunting: large animals dominate the themes of the art, especially the cavesthemes of the art, especially the caves

• Fertility: sexuality dominates other art, Fertility: sexuality dominates other art, especially the Venus figurinesespecially the Venus figurines

• Inference: lacking writing, we can only Inference: lacking writing, we can only infer past cultures from those of the infer past cultures from those of the present or recent pastpresent or recent past

Upper Paleolithic Art: Cave Upper Paleolithic Art: Cave PaintingsPaintings

• This illustration from This illustration from Lascaux Cave, S. France, Lascaux Cave, S. France, shows how much fine detail shows how much fine detail goes into animals (upper goes into animals (upper left)left)

• Humans in contrast are Humans in contrast are drawn, if at all, as stick drawn, if at all, as stick figures, such as shown by figures, such as shown by this sketch at Lascaux this sketch at Lascaux (lower left)(lower left)

• The bird-like stick the man The bird-like stick the man is dropping could represent is dropping could represent a totem or symbol of a clana totem or symbol of a clan

• All this, of course, is based All this, of course, is based on speculation and on speculation and inference from living inference from living cultures.cultures.

Site Analysis: CosquerSite Analysis: Cosquer

• Cosquer, near Marseille, S. Cosquer, near Marseille, S. FranceFrance

• Land animals comprise Land animals comprise horses (left) , ibex, and horses (left) , ibex, and others others

• Sea animals also are Sea animals also are included, such as great auks included, such as great auks or penguins (left), seals, and or penguins (left), seals, and jellyfishjellyfish

• Style: extensive use of black Style: extensive use of black pigment and pigment and

• The cave is now under waterThe cave is now under water

Site Analysis: ChauvetSite Analysis: Chauvet

• Chauvet is located in Ardeche Chauvet is located in Ardeche Valley, S.E. FranceValley, S.E. France

• Cave includes several species Cave includes several species of animals together; depicted of animals together; depicted using red or black pigment using red or black pigment (upper left)(upper left)

• Animals depicted: mammoths, Animals depicted: mammoths, horses, pigs, and many othershorses, pigs, and many others

• Predatory animals, such as Predatory animals, such as this row of lions (lower left)this row of lions (lower left)

• Bear skull and skeletons also Bear skull and skeletons also foundfound

Site Analysis: Pech-Merle: Site Analysis: Pech-Merle: HandprintsHandprints

• Handprints are found Handprints are found everywhere, but Pech-Merle is everywhere, but Pech-Merle is full of themfull of them

• The hand was pressed against The hand was pressed against the rock and stenciled with the rock and stenciled with ochre (upper left)ochre (upper left)

• Significance unknown; Significance unknown; possibly a signature of artist, possibly a signature of artist, hand signals, or part of hand signals, or part of initiation riteinitiation rite

• A spotted horse, again with a A spotted horse, again with a handprinthandprint

Site Analysis: Trois-Site Analysis: Trois-FreiresFreires• This is interpreted as a man This is interpreted as a man

dressed as a stag dressed as a stag • Could also be an animal godCould also be an animal god• Most common: interpreted as Most common: interpreted as

a shamana shaman• Namely, a sorcerer performing Namely, a sorcerer performing

his magic (see box, p. 35) his magic (see box, p. 35) • Or manipulating supernatural Or manipulating supernatural

forces according to his wishesforces according to his wishes• Location: Trois-Freres in Location: Trois-Freres in

Arage, S.W. France.Arage, S.W. France.

Site Analysis: LascauxSite Analysis: Lascaux

• The most famous site: LascauxThe most famous site: Lascaux• Wide range of animals with humans as stick figuresWide range of animals with humans as stick figures• Bison charging at man has elicited many interpretationsBison charging at man has elicited many interpretations• Bird: a totem of the man’s clan? Why depicted as a stick Bird: a totem of the man’s clan? Why depicted as a stick

figure?figure?

Lasaux: Other Animals Lasaux: Other Animals

• ““Chinese horse”: interpreted as Chinese horse”: interpreted as pregnant because of sagging pregnant because of sagging middle (upper left)middle (upper left)

• Scene from “Room of the Bulls”Scene from “Room of the Bulls”• Technique: object is first Technique: object is first

outlined, then filling it n with outlined, then filling it n with pigmentpigment

• Pigment may have been blown Pigment may have been blown inside the outlines, using hollow inside the outlines, using hollow bones bones

• These bones, with traces of These bones, with traces of pigment, have been found in the pigment, have been found in the caves, providing the context for caves, providing the context for this interpretation. this interpretation.

Site Analysis: Altamira, Site Analysis: Altamira, SpainSpain

• Location, Pyrenees, NE SpainLocation, Pyrenees, NE Spain• Natural bulges of rocks Natural bulges of rocks

matched contours of various matched contours of various animals animals

• Standing bison shows various Standing bison shows various shadings of ochre, giving shadings of ochre, giving three-dimensional impressionthree-dimensional impression

• Painted ceiling of animals Painted ceiling of animals • Limbs are of black Limbs are of black

manganese; bodies are of manganese; bodies are of ochre with shadingochre with shading

Upper Paleolithic Art: Portable Upper Paleolithic Art: Portable SculptureSculpture

• Figurines also figure prominently Figurines also figure prominently in Upper Paleolithic artin Upper Paleolithic art

• Top: Venus figure from Willendorf, Top: Venus figure from Willendorf, Austria; this is the style of figurine Austria; this is the style of figurine most often representedmost often represented

• The lower figure is a frieze The lower figure is a frieze imitation of a Paleolithic statuetteimitation of a Paleolithic statuette

• She is somewhat thinner than the She is somewhat thinner than the “classic” Venus “classic” Venus

• She is also holding a cone-shaped She is also holding a cone-shaped object, which some archaeologists object, which some archaeologists interpret as a cornucopiainterpret as a cornucopia

The Variety of Venus The Variety of Venus CarvingsCarvings

• This shows the variety of This shows the variety of Venus carvings in the Venus carvings in the Upper Paleolithic’Upper Paleolithic’

• One holds a “cornucopia” One holds a “cornucopia” symbolizing plenty, symbolizing plenty, according to one according to one interpretationinterpretation

• One is quite thin (lower One is quite thin (lower right)right)

• Patricia Rice identified Patricia Rice identified 150 types150 types

Upper Paleolithic: Dolni Upper Paleolithic: Dolni VestoniceVestonice

• Dolni Vestonice is a classic Dolni Vestonice is a classic Paleolithic sitePaleolithic site

• The site has the Venus The site has the Venus statuette with large breasts statuette with large breasts and even larger hipsand even larger hips

• This dwelling of hide and This dwelling of hide and mammoth bone was typical mammoth bone was typical in this sitein this site

• However, another set of However, another set of figurines inspires curiosity. figurines inspires curiosity. Read on. Read on.

Dolni Vestonice: Art and Dolni Vestonice: Art and BurialBurial

• Ivory plaque with human head was found Ivory plaque with human head was found in 1936in 1936

• Left half of lip and eye lower than ones on Left half of lip and eye lower than ones on right right

• Figurine of a woman’s head found in 1948 Figurine of a woman’s head found in 1948 (left)(left)

• Left side was also distorted.Left side was also distorted.• Burial site was excavated from under 2 Burial site was excavated from under 2

scapula of mammothscapula of mammoth• Analysis suggested nerve damage on left Analysis suggested nerve damage on left

side of skeletal face of an elderly womanside of skeletal face of an elderly woman• Were these all of the same women? The Were these all of the same women? The

original excavator thinks so. original excavator thinks so.

Commonalities of the Commonalities of the Paleolithic IPaleolithic I

• The Paleolithic is the longest of all stone The Paleolithic is the longest of all stone ages, covering roughly 2 million years.ages, covering roughly 2 million years.

• Several hominin species lived side by Several hominin species lived side by sideside

• The last non-modern form, the The last non-modern form, the Neanderthal, died off about 30,000 BCE Neanderthal, died off about 30,000 BCE (Before Common Era)(Before Common Era)

• They were all foragers, or hunters or They were all foragers, or hunters or gatherersgatherers

Commonalities of the Commonalities of the Paleolithic IIPaleolithic II

• The first signs of the arts—cave The first signs of the arts—cave murals and portable sculptures-- murals and portable sculptures-- begins in the Upper Paleolithicbegins in the Upper Paleolithic

• Next, we will look briefly at the Next, we will look briefly at the Mesolithic, which included the first Mesolithic, which included the first settlementssettlements

• Then focus on the Neolithic, Then focus on the Neolithic, especially the Fertile Crescentespecially the Fertile Crescent