Cave Art: The History1
Books have been written about this topic, and I plan to do the same but in just a few paragraphs. Cave art is usually accepted as being art, both paintings and sculptures from Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic eras; this is more commonly known as the Stone Age. Usual themes include women, animals, human hands, and shapes; but those in Australia and Africa tend to also include humans, although European and Asian art tends to avoid humanity in art.2
The reason and meaning behind such beautiful art is unknown; the thirty thousand years of this type of art is too long ago to know for sure, but most agree on hunting, religion, or story telling. Some art includes animals that were extinct at the time of painting.3
Cave Art: Example One4
Lascaux, an intricate cave in France, has a beautiful collection of cave art. It may not be the best preserved, nor the most detailed, nor the most well known. The art in this cave is exceptional. With seven rooms all covered in horses, bison, auruchs, feline animals and more, little is known about it. The pictures, some say, tell the story of the animals. Access to the caves is limited, although this has preserved the art. I do believe it could be seen as a primitive picture book of sorts; it is a good idea to mention at this point, that this was before farming and settled communities.5
Bibliography6
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/ - Includes a virtual tour with stunning close ups of the art7
http://www.accd.edu/sac/vat/arthistory/arts1303/PALNEO.htm - Includes more of the history of cave art8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_painting - Not entirely comprehensive, but does give the basics
Author notes
chapter one
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