Prehistoric Cave Art

Ancient Civilization.

Chapter 1: Investigating the Past. ​

Text paraphrased & copied from the TCI Curriculum

How do social scientist interpret the past?

Essential Question

Studying history involves investigating what happened in the past and why.

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How can we learn about events that happened so long ago? ​

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The clues are centuries old, and the witnesses are long gone.

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1940 - Lascaux, France: Teens found this cave art

​Introduction​

Detectives who study the past.

TCI: Chapter 1 section 2

They study the past by digging up the past. They examine objects that people have left behind. These artifacts are any made or used by humans.

Archaeologist

​They record the past. Historians focus on times when humans began to keep records of things. They want to find out what happened in the past by reading diaries, letters, and books.

​​Historians

They map the past. They study natural features of earth, such as water, landforms, plants, and animals. They also look at man-made features like towns, roads, and bridges.

Geographers

Multiple Choice

Which "History Detective" best matches this definition:

"an expert who studies and records the past."

• archaeologist

• historian

• geographer

• artifcact

Multiple Choice

Which history detective BEST matches this definition:

"An expert who studies the past by examining objects that people have left behind."

• archaeologist

• historian

• geographer

• artificat

Cave Art:

Treasures of the Past​

TCI Chapter 1, Section 3

Cave paintings provide clues about what life was like in prehistoric times, before writing was invented.

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Caves with paintings that are thousands of years old, have been found all over the world. ​

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Some paintings show types of animals around, hints at religion, and how people use to hunt. ​

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Caves have also provided clues in the form of artifacts. Scientist have found bits of rope, lamps for burning animal fat (oil), and tools for painting and engraving.

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These amazing treasures help answer many question about how humans lived. But these artifacts have also puzzled others. ​

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Multiple Choice

Why was art/drawing the dominant form of record keeping during ancient times?

• Because there was no TV

• Because writing with letters was not yet invented

• Because they were good artist

• Because their spelling was really bad

​Painted between 11,000 and 20,000 years ago. This shows a scene from a hunt. The man is about to be killed by this mammoth or bison.

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There is a spear next to him and he is wearing a mask. Paintings of humans are rare in cave art. ​

​​Paint of a Human

​Painters would use the cave's uneven walls as part of their art/composition.

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Scientist have many ideas about why animal paintings were created. One idea is that the artists were trying to capture "magical powers" of certain animals. Another idea is that they used animals in their art for the gods. ​

​Painting of Animals

Other types of art include circular shapes, sticklike animals, and hand prints.

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Hand prints are very common in cave art. But their meaning is a mystery. Many believe that handprints were the artist way of signing their work.

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Some think that geometric shapes hold special meanings in rituals. ​

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Art about 20,000 years old, found in Argentina.

Multiple Choice

Which of these was LEAST common in cave art during ancient times?

• People

• Animals

• Shapes

• Composition

Multiple Choice

Which of these is most likely the reason why cave men/women would leave their handprint on the wall?

• To add to the beauty of the art.

• To leave their name attached to the art.

• To ruin someone else's art work.

• As some type of spiritual ritual for the gods.

Most advancements in ancient times look very different than our technology advancements today. During prehistoric times the Spear Thrower was like the new Galaxy Note or iPhone.

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Some artist would design spears with an animal at the handle and include great details. These animals could be included as a good luck charm or have a relation to the tribe or hunter.​

​​Spear Thrower

This clay sculpture is about 23 inches long (about 2 feet). This bison was sculpted out of gold colored clay with lots of detail.

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One big idea is that the cave belonged to a certain clan, the other is that this was created for a ceremony showing a transition to adulthood. Scientist think this because in the cave little foot prints were found on the floor around it.​

Clay Sculptures

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Open Ended

You have learned about the roles of our history detectives (social scientist) and some of the things they have found. Taking all that in mind, answer this question:

How do Social Scientist Interpret the Past?