Global Prehistory Lecture Notes

Introduction to Global Prehistory

• Definition of prehistory: Time before written records.
• Importance of scientific evidence (e.g., carbon dating, stratigraphic dating) in understanding prehistory.
• Multidisciplinary field: Involves anthropology, archaeology, biology, chemistry.

Warm-Up Activity

• Compare two sculptures: Venus of Willendorf (4 inches) and Aangazal figure (3.5 feet).
• Observations to consider:
  • Visual elements: What is depicted, stylistic choices.
  • Creation process: How they were made, potential creators, purpose.
  • Compare and contrast: List similarities and differences.

Understanding Prehistoric Art

• Art vs. Tools: Tools were for survival and not "art" in the aesthetic sense.
• Artistic Intent: Prehistoric art had purpose beyond survival (e.g., cultural significance).

Dating Techniques

• Stratigraphy: Study of geological strata, older layers are deeper.
• Radiocarbon Dating: Measures decay of carbon-14 in organic materials.
• Contextual Evidence: Function and age deduced from surrounding artifacts.

Early Human Migration and Climate Change

• Key species: Homo sapiens, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo erectus.
• Origin: Southeastern Africa (Rift Valley region).
• Migration influenced by climate change (e.g., Axis wobble, Ice Ages).
• Land bridges during glacial periods enabled migrations.

Art Historical Periods

Paleolithic (Old Stone Age)

• Climate: Cooler, glacial periods.
• Societies: Hunter-gatherers.
• Art Characteristics:
  • Emphasis on animals, few human depictions.
  • Portable sculptures, cave paintings with twisted perspective.
  • Example: Venus of Willendorf, fertility figures, animal paintings.

Neolithic (New Stone Age)

• Climate: Warmer, melting glaciers, rising sea levels.
• Societies: Agricultural, settled communities.
• Art Characteristics:
  • More organized, narrative paintings with human figures.
  • Emergence of permanent architecture (e.g., megaliths, menhirs).
  • Example: Human figure from Angazol.

Key Concepts

• Twisted Perspective: Composite view in artistic depictions.
• Neolithic Revolution: Introduction of agriculture, domestication, and sedentary lifestyles.
• Paleolithic vs Neolithic Art: Differences in subject matter, size, and purpose of artworks.

Conclusion

• Revisit sculptures with new knowledge: Reflect on how each represents its respective period (Paleolithic vs Neolithic).
• Apply learnings to complete handout.