AP Art History

Prehistory and Prehistoric Art
The following is a general outline of the Prehistoric unit...
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	PREHISTORY: refers to the time period before people could write, the time before written records. Objects are the documents of record Challenge is to "read" the nonverbal info found in objects. How is the concept of spirituality (or a primitive religion) reflective in prehistoric artwork?
	CHRONOLOGY: divided into three general phases: Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) c40,000-8,000 BCE -- mostly nomadic hunters Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) c8,000-7,000 BCE Neolithic (New Stone Age) c7,000-2,300 BCE -- began to settle year-round
	Paleolithic Period   PAINTING - represents the most extensive example of Paleolithic art. Altimira, Spain-Bison, c14,000-12,000 BCE Altimira, Spain-Dead Bison, c14,000-12,000 BCE Lascaux, France-Well Scene c15,000-10,000 BCE Lascaux, France-Hall of Bulls, c15,000-10,000 BCE Lascaux, France-Chinese Horse c15,000-10,000 BCE
	SCULPTURE - examples predate painting and drawing in archaeological record.   Venus of Willendorf, Vienna, Austria, c30,000-25,000 BCE Human with Feline Head, Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany, c30,000-28,000 BCE Venus of Laussel c23,000-20,000 BCE Woman from Brassempouy, France, c22,000 BCE Bison, Le Tuc d'Audoubert, France, c13,000BCE
	Mesolithic Period The Mesolithic was a transitional period, when the climatic, geographical and biological patterns of today were established. Artistically, the human figure was represented in groups rather than the single figure of the Paleolithic. Marching Warriors, Castellon, Spain, c7000-4000 BCE
	Neolithic Period   Change from hunting and gathering to sedentary existence, new art form, monumental architecture, Megaliths-Greek-Megas, made from huge stones without mortar Carnac, France, c3,000 BCE Stonehenge, England, c2750-1500 BCE

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