Foundations of Human Expression: Global Prehistory (30,000–500 BCE)

Prehistoric art

All artistic production created prior to the invention of written records.

Archaeology

The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts.

Ethnography

The systematic study of people and cultures based on direct observation.

Formal analysis

The examination of the visual elements and design of an artwork.

Paleolithic

The Old Stone Age characterized by a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

Neolithic

The New Stone Age marked by the development of agriculture and settled communities.

Therianthrope

A mythical being that is part human and part animal.

Profile view

A side view representation that provides clear identification of subjects.

Superimposition

The technique of painting multiple images over one another, often across generations.

Twisted Perspective

A composite view that shows an object's features from multiple angles simultaneously.

Hunting Magic Theory

The belief that painting an animal ensures a successful hunt.

Shamanism

A practice where individuals engage in rituals to connect with the spirit world.

Hierarchical Scale

A visual representation where the size of figures indicates their importance.

Scarification

A form of body modification involving cutting designs into the skin.

Jade Cong

A square hollow tube made of jade often associated with high-ranking individuals.

Beaker with Ibex Motifs

A painted terra cotta beaker featuring stylized ibex designs indicative of funerary practices.

Tlatilco Female Figurine

A ceramic figure from Central Mexico representing duality with its bifacial feature.

Ambum Stone

A greywacke figure from Papua New Guinea believed to serve as a pestle for rituals.

Anthropomorphic Stele

An upright stone slab used to mark a grave or site, featuring an abstract human figure.

Camelid Sacrum in the Shape of a Canine

A modified sacrum bone seen as sacred in later Mesoamerican cultures.

Dentate Stamping

A technique in pottery where a comb-like tool is pressed into wet clay for surface decoration.

Stonehenge

A prehistoric monument in the UK, serving as an astronomical observatory and burial site.

Post-and-Lintel

An architectural structure where two vertical posts support a horizontal beam.

Megalith

A large stone used in prehistoric construction.

Mortise-and-Tenon

A joint where a projection fits into a hole to secure structural elements.

Henge

A circular arrangement of earthworks, often for ceremonial purposes.

Lapita Culture

An ancient Pacific culture known for its advanced navigation and pottery techniques.

Sacred Geography of the Body

The belief in certain anatomical features as having spiritual significance.

Functional Art

Art that serves a practical purpose in addition to its aesthetic qualities.

Cultural Exchange

The sharing of ideas, values, and artifacts between different societies.

Genetic Anomalies

Physical traits that differ from the norm, which may include conditions like conjoined twins.

Ritual Use

The application of art or objects in ceremonial contexts or spiritual practices.

Utilitarian Art

Art that is created for a practical function rather than just aesthetic enjoyment.

Symbolic Thought

The ability to create and use symbols to represent ideas.

Cave Art

Art created in caves or rock shelters, often depicting animals and human figures.

Agricultural Revolution

The transition from nomadic life to settled farming practices that shaped societal development.

Monumental Architecture

Large structures built for public or ceremonial purposes, indicating complex societal organization.

Community Symbolism

Artistic representations that reflect the identity or beliefs of a group.

Abstract Form

A style of art that does not attempt to represent external reality but instead uses shapes and colors.

Mummification Practices

Ancient techniques of preserving the body for spiritual purposes after death.

Ceramic Technology

The methods and tools used for creating pottery and other clay artifacts.

Ancient Ritual Practices

Ceremonial behaviors performed for spiritual or social reasons in prehistoric cultures.

Pestle

A tool used for grinding or crushing substances, often associated with ritual use in ancient contexts.

Spiritual Object

An item created for religious or ceremonial purposes, believed to hold special significance.