Question

What is meant by the term "prehistoric" and what two major time divisions does the text book identify from this larger period? Give examples of at least two art forms we have from the prehistoric era?

Answer 1

Answer:

"Prehistoric" means "before-history" and is the period of human history previous to the invention of writing.

Over 99% of human history is prehistoric.

The two major time divisions of prehistory are the Paleolithic and the Neolithic.

The Paleolithic is between 3 million years ago to around 12,000 years ago. It is a period characterized by the use of stone tools, nomadism, and a hunter-gathering lifesytle.

The Neolithic started around 12,000 years ago in the Levant and Mesopotamia and is characterized by the adoption of agriculture and sedentarism.

Two art forms from the prehistoric era are:

• The lascaux cave paintings in southwest France. It consists in several caves whose walls are painted. The subject matter of the paintings include: horses, megalocerus (an extinct type of deer), and aurochs (and extinct type of ox).
• The Venus of Willendorf - found in Austria, it is a small sculpture or figurine, made of limestone, that depicts a female figure, probably a godess. It is believed to have been made around 30,000 years ago.