Rock art is the set of graphic representations (drawings and paintings, mainly) made by prehistoric human beings in rocks. It is estimated that the oldest records of rock art date back to 40 thousand years a. C, during the Upper Paleolithic period.
There is great controversy over the use of the term "art" to refer to drawings made by humans during the Prehistory, as many experts question whether the nature of the paintings of that time was intended artistic.
The rock art is divided into two groups: the rock paintings, when pigments are used; and the petroglyphs, which consist of figures that were carved into the rocks through incisions.
Learn more about meaning of art and The Types of Art.
It is unquestionable, however, the importance that rock art has nowadays for the researchers and archaeologists can determine the lifestyle of groups of human beings in that era.
In cave paintings, the representation of human figures and some animals is predominant, especially in everyday situations, such as hunting, eating, mating, and so on.
One of the theories that justifies the motive of prehistoric human beings to make these drawings is that they believed in the "power of images". Thus, the retraction of certain situations (such as hunting, for example) would serve for them to be successful in their future hunts.
It is believed that cave humans (who draw on rocks) used blood from animals, charcoal residues, plants, colored earth and clay with saliva to create the pigments of the paintings. In addition to rocks, it was also common to record drawings in bones and wood.
Some researchers believe that the control and use of fire by man was essential for the rock art to emerge, because the beings Humans now have greater comfort and security, giving space to the development of communicative and creative skills.
Worldwide, the main countries with rock art sites are France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany.
Characteristics of rock art
- Paintings recorded everyday scenes of prehistoric humans;
- Human and animal figures were predominant;
- Scenes of hunting, dancing, rituals, feeding, sexual acts, birth and death of people, etc. were portrayed;
- The designs were made on the rocks, mainly on the walls and ceilings of caves;
- Use of animal blood, crushed plants, colored earth, clay and saliva as materials to make cave paintings.
brazilian rock art
As in Europe, the cave paintings found in Brazil also represent scenes considered typical of the daily lives of humans at that time, such as hunting animals, sexual acts, between others.
Currently, there are several archeological sites with cave paintings in Brazil. Among the most popular are: Serra da Capivara National Park (Piauí); Sete Cidades National Park (Piauí); Cariris Velhos (Paraíba); Rondonópolis (Mato Grosso); Lagoa Santa (Minas Gerais); and Peruaçu (Minas Gerais).
