Art in Prehistory and Characteristics of Art in Prehistory

Art in prehistory is one of the most effective ways for researchers to reconstitute the existing culture at the dawn of humanity.

This was precisely the time when men had not yet invented writing. Therefore, the drawings, sculptures and objects found give us clues to how people lived and organized themselves in the very distant past.

Prehistory is divided into three major periods, and in each of them art has peculiar characteristics.

To facilitate the study, check out the divisions of Prehistory below:

Paleolithic Period or Chipped Stone Age (from the emergence of humanity until 8000 BC);
Neolithic Period or Polished Stone Age (from 8000 BC to 5000 BC);
Age of Metals (5000 BC until the appearance of writing, around 3500 BC).
The term “art” refers to a modern concept. Therefore, for prehistoric men this concept was not known. That is, they did not create art with the intention of contemplation and adornment, but with a utilitarian function.

Arte, Liturgia & Espiritualidade: Arte Pré-Histórica

Characteristics of art in prehistory: Summary
In the beginning, the artistic expressions were quite simplified and over time they improved.

Below are the main characteristics of the art developed in each period:
Paleolithic period
At that stage, art was performed in caves or close to them, which were called parietal art and rock art.
Parietal art receives this name because it is related to the support on which it was developed, that is, the walls of caves. Rock art, on the other hand, was performed outside caves and caves.

In that period, paintings were made on rocks and their main characteristic was naturalism.

In addition to abstract figures, figures of animals and men were developed. They usually showed hunting footage.

In addition to the art represented on the cave walls, the first instruments and tools with little sophistication were developed: knives, axes, harpoons, spears, bows, arrows, hooks.

The production techniques were simple and the materials used were stone, wood, bones, horns and animal skins.

Arte na Pré-História - Paleolítico, Neolítico e Idade dos Metais

At that time, sculptures were also produced, usually female figures.
It is worth remembering that the Paleolithic man (hunter and gatherer) was nomadic, that is, he lived in search of food and shelter, therefore, they did not settle in the territories.
Neolithic period
Art in the Neolithic period can already be seen outside the caves. With a milder climate, the Neolithic man began to live near rivers.

This period marked the sedentary lifestyle of the human race, which ceased to be nomadic and began to build villages. Agriculture and animal husbandry were the main features of this period.

Although they were also developed with stones, as in the Paleolithic period, the evolution of art can be noted in this period, which showed greater care, such as the polishing of the material.

Also noteworthy are the objects made of ceramics and the making of wool and linen fabrics, replacing the costumes made with animal skins.
It is also important to highlight the construction of megalithic monuments, which are large stones arranged in unique compositions. It is believed that the purpose of these constructions was to carry out rituals and celebrations.

Arte na Pré-História: resumo, características e exemplos
Age of Metals
With the discovery of metals, art begins to acquire another aspect. During this period, it was marked by the development of metallurgy and the expansion of foundry techniques.
The Metal Age is divided according to the most used metal, namely:

Bronze Age
Copper Age
Iron Age
During this period, utensils, instruments and tools manufactured with a utilitarian purpose stand out. For example, kitchen instruments, artistic objects, weapons, tools for agriculture, hunting and fishing. There were even metal sculptures depicting women in detailed clothing and also warriors.

The invention of the wheel and the ox plow used in agriculture are from this period. At that moment, the first experiments in writing also began to appear.

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