Art in Prehistory


THE art in prehistoryit manifested itself in several ways, being one of the most useful ways to be able to reconstitute the culture and the way of life of the first human groups.

For being a period before the emergence of writing, one of the few historical sources available from this phase are cave paintings, objects, sculptures and megalithic monuments.

Such traces give us some clues as to how humans organized themselves during the prehistory, contributing to the development of research and the advancement of knowledge.

Prehistory is divided into three phases:

  1. Paleolithic or Chipped Stone Age (from the dawn of mankind to 10,000 BC). Ç.);
  2. Neolithic or Polished Stone Age (from 10,000 to 5,000 a. Ç.);
  3. Age of Metals (from 5,000 to 3,500 a. Ç.).

The concept of art reminds us of something modern. Therefore, this term was not known by the prehistorics, who did not produce art for the purpose of embellishment or admiration, but rather to fulfill a practical function.

Index

  • Art in the Paleolithic
  • art in the neolithic
  • Art in the Age of Metals
  • Art in the prehistory of Brazil

Art in the Paleolithic

O Paleolithic it is marked by the existence of artistic manifestations carried out in caves or in places close to them. Such arts are known as rock art and parietal art.

Rock art refers to the designs produced on the ceilings, walls and other surfaces of caves, rocks or rock shelters.

Prehistory

Parietal art, on the other hand, is so called because it is related to the art developed on the walls of caves.

Prehistory

This phase is marked by the existence of paintings naturalists, therefore, drawings of men and animals, as it was quite common for men at that time to reproduce hunting scenes and abstract figures.

In addition to the art present in caves and rocks, this period is characterized by the creation of the first tools, still quite rustic, such as axes, spears, knives, hooks, harpoons, arrows and bows.

The materials used for the production of these instruments were bones, wood, horns and animal skins. In addition, it is important to note that during this period, sculptures, mostly female.

 Prehistory
female sculpture

art in the neolithic

art in Neolithic starts to be seen in places outside the caves, as this phase is marked by the sedentarization of human groups.

Therefore, due to its settlement in territories, the first shelters built by man date back to this period. Therefore, Neolithic men are seen as the first architects in history.

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Art goes through an advance in terms of techniques that are developed with greater care, proof of this is the creation of the polishing of objects and the appearance of geometric shapes.

In addition, we can mention the emergence of fabrics made from linen and wool, and the creation of objects made from ceramics.

Prehistory
ceramic vases

Megalithic monuments were also artistic expressions of this phase. Constructed from large stones organized in unique compositions, it can be deduced that these works were erected to perform rituals.

We can cite the Stonehenge, at England:

Prehistory
Stonehenge

And the Cromlech of Alemendres, in Portugal:

Prehistory
Aleendres cromlech

Art in the Age of Metals

the art in Age of Metals it took on another characteristic, marked by metallurgy and the development of foundry techniques.

The Age of Metals is divided into three periods, characterized by the use of the most popular metals of the time:

  1. Bronze Age
  2. age of Copper
  3. age of Iron

This phase marks the emergence of metal tools and utensils that had utilitarian purposes, such as kitchen tools, weapons, hunting tools, agriculture and fishing.

Furthermore, this period is characterized by the creation of the first writing essays.

 Prehistory
metal sculptures

Art in the prehistory of Brazil

O Brazil stands out for the existence of some archaeological sites and several cave paintings found in several regions of the country:

  • Piauí;
  • Pernambuco;
  • Paraíba;
  • large northern river;
  • Minas Gerais;
  • Santa Catarina;
  • Mato Grosso do Sul.
 Prehistory
Serra da Capivara National Park, in Piauí.

Learn more at:

  • The Brazilian Prehistory
  • Food in Prehistory
  • List of Exercises on Prehistory
  • History Division

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