Unit 1: Global Prehistory Study Guide

Global Prehistory

The time period before the invention of written records.

Ethnography

The study of existing cultures used to interpret prehistoric artifacts.

Paleolithic

Old Stone Age, characterized by hunter-gatherer societies.

Neolithic

New Stone Age, marked by the advent of agriculture and settled communities.

Shamanism

Spiritual practice involving communication with spirits, often seen in prehistoric context.

Twisted Perspective

A stylistic convention where parts of an animal are shown in different views; combines profile and frontal perspectives.

Hunting Magic Theory

The notion that cave paintings aimed to ensure a successful hunt.

Mobiliary Art

Portable art created by nomadic peoples, often functional or spiritual.

Therianthrope

A mythical being that is part human and part animal, found in ancient artwork.

Jade Cong

A rectangular tube made of jade, often symbolizing the connection between earth and heaven in Neolithic culture.

Post-and-Lintel

An architectural technique using vertical stones to support a horizontal beam.

Mortise-and-Tenon

A woodworking technique adapted for stone, ensuring secure joints in construction.

Taotie

Mask-like motifs commonly found in Bronze Age Chinese art, often used on jade objects.

Cave Art

Paintings and engravings created by prehistoric peoples primarily depicting animals.

Ambum Stone

A prehistoric sculpture that resembles an echidna embryo and is believed to have ritual significance.

Apollo 11 Stones

One of the oldest known artworks, depicting animal forms with human-like features.

Camelid Sacrum

A triangular bone carved into a canine skull, thought to be connected to spirituality.

Lascaux

A site in France famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings, particularly of bulls.

Stonehenge

A monumental structure in the UK dating back to the Neolithic, known for its complex construction.

Bifurcated Face

A distinctive feature of the Tlatilco Female Figurine, representing duality.

Cremation Burials

Burials that involve burning the body, revealed at the Stonehenge site indicating its role as a burial ground.

Solar Calendar

A system that aligns with astronomical events like solstices to track seasons, visible in Stonehenge's layout.

Geometric Motifs

Patterns and shapes commonly used in Neolithic art to represent abstract ideas.

Cognitive Skills

Complex mental abilities demonstrated by prehistoric peoples through their art and architecture.

Social Hierarchy

A system of ranking within a culture, reflecting differing access to cultural resources and labor.

Art for Art's Sake

A notion that suggests art was created purely for visual appeal, contrary to the purpose of Paleolithic works.

Duality

The concept of two opposing elements, often symbolized in Neolithic artifacts like the Tlatilco Female Figurine.