Yasin Alkaifi 

Archaeology 200

05/08/2022

Scott Schwartz 

The Art Of The Paleolithic Era

The Old Stone Age, also known as the Paleolithic, is considered the most established prehistoric era of social upheaval that lasted until around 8000 BC. This period is regarded as the heyday of innovation in which ancient people made the most critical and complex musical instruments from stone and various materials. Tragically, in the absence of documented reports, analysts’ primary source of information regarding this period comes from archaeological discoveries (Gilead, p130). From the perspective of focusing on the historical background of human development, the Paleolithic should be considered because many unique social changes occurred during this period, such as cave paintings and ancient rocks. The Paleolithic time frame was wide and spanned many years, usually divided into several stages. This article also covers the Middle and Upper Paleolithic ears. 

         The culture of the upper Paleolithic Era

During this time, humans have made great strides at the boundaries of the brain, ultimately enabling the improvement of such sophisticated cultures. The brain capacity that men in this era had helped them learn and communicate with each other and develop better methods of building necessary things for their survival. As mentioned earlier, the Paleolithic era was characterized by adaptation to mechanical progress, and the number of mechanical signs of progress was both variable and tremendous (Dunn et al., p100). The people in this era were very brilliant in that they could make beautiful and ground breaking artifacts when they were to use available tools. For example, these people invented a blade which was an advancement and helpful during hunting times. With a wide range of use, the blade could be used as a spear or used as a tool for cutting down trees, it may have also been used as a decoration, “the debris is so fragile and sharp edges are so sharp that it’s hard to imagine it sticking to the end of a spear” (Dunn et al., p120). 

One of the primary benefits may seem unimportant to us, but this was a big step forward. This is surprising, but “the Upper Paleolithic is more than just a blade culture” (Moro Abadia et al., p280). Surprisingly, these people started with machines that helped them move their bones and ivory. This is important considering that they will be able to etch long handles and create what is now known as lance stubs. Lance was another big step forward for hunters, who could throw shots much faster than without Lance. Although the invention of the blade was a powerful and life changing tool for these people, the shelter was another significant change in their lives. They used great designs to create their shelters. These shelters were built using “bones from mammoths, and extinct species of elephant… the mammoth’s jaws were used as the base, and the ribs, tusks, and other bones were used for the sides” (Moro Abadia et al., p290). Leather was used in the last process of making these shelters covers for the shelters. Similar to a Native American tent. All of the tools they designed and developed conform these people to their cultures and define their way of life.

         The recently expressed social progress was a wonder at the time, but there is another type of culture, “craftsmanship, the most notable development of the Upper Paleolithic” (Barzilai et al., 90). The handicraft culture of this era is genuinely extraordinary and truly mysterious. However, the craftsmanship included was certainly not linked to sculpture and artwork. The most well-known sculpture is “a statuette of a fat woman called” Venus ” (Barzilai et al, 95). These statuettes are generally small and can fit in the middle of your hand. There is no definitive information about what these are for, but important hypotheses indicate a longing for fertility or even being seen as mere dolls, “Their topographical distribution is extensive, from the Atlantic Ocean to Ukraine ” (Barzilai et al., 86), demonstrating a vast distance of cultural solidarity. Looking at the paintings these people painted, the figurines are not as enjoyable to watch as the paintings. The canvas of the cave works shows the authority and expertise of these individuals. He also showed how well they work together. Most of the work of art is tracked deep into the cave and generally depicts “a unique and realistic composition of creatures, sometimes hiding from creatures with a good future” (Barzilai et al., 100). The short tops found deep in these caves show that it’s amazing.

         The Paleolithic Art 

Before composing a story, storytelling existed through visual processing and communication. The basis of distraction has always been the ability to tell a story. How did humans verbally convey traces as old as possible? Oral habits are used to convey the basics of an account. This type of story can be told by one relative, from one hunter to another, or from a trapped clan. Oral customs were the structure of their earliest expressions during ancient times. Storytelling has also been used to teach and clarify standards of patience and ethics (Moro Abadia et al., p283). As shown, verbal habits are an expression of opportunity. These opportunities were seen and subsequently created by Paleolithic craftsmanship. This article examines the beginning of storytelling, which conveys the appreciation of entertainment as a social norm from Paleolithic craftsmanship.

Above all, it is not very likely to know when and where the first story was told. Some expect the main story to be told by an ancient hunter. The stories were mainly told while people in this era sat around a bonfire in stone caves while the walls were lit by the light that came from the bonfire. Although there are numerous facts showing that stories were told during this era, there is not enough evidence to back up this claim to pinpoint exactly where the stories were told or what the stories were about. Still. The time frame shows the first use of paleolithic art in storytelling. Moro Abadie er al. ‘s research article reveals that Europe Paleolithic art can be trailed back to 30,000 and 10,000 B.C. (Moro Abadia et al., p 291). As indicated by Moro Abadie et al., most of the earliest forms of paintings found in caves could be identified with the prehistoric age. Cave paintings were invented first before the discovery of agriculture and civilization. All resources used in cave paintings were limited in supply between 30,000 and 100,000 B.C. Materials used for carving cave paints were similar to other provisions and food. 

Hunters during this era carved animal images on the cave walls as an indication of a particular event that took place during the prehistoric age. All the drawings that hunters drew on cave walls would represent symbols, animaIs, or other hunters. Hunters didn’t have to go far distances to acquire materials used for cave paintings and indicate a particular event. Instead, the materials were easily accessible in the local areas, like natural minerals found on the earth. As shown by Moro Abadia et al.’s research, certain materials, such as clay ochre, were created by hunters, which also were of various colors such as combinations of yellow, red, and brown (Moro Abadia et al., p 300). Charcoal was ground to fine powder whenever a black color was used. An artist would only settle down and start painting after all the painting materials were gathered and presented to the artist. An example of drawings drawn on the cave walls is a drawing of an animal that resembled the image of a rhinoceros or horse. Around the painting, hunters were drawn surrounding this animal while holding a spear. During the prehistoric age, hunters could hunt down animals either as a means of food or for survival when an animal would attack them. Afterwards, this event could be captured in the cave paintings and used to narrate the incident to their group. Oral narration was dominant during this era as it was a means of entertainment and a way of narrating a story that could be passed down to future generations.

         Oral traditions constitute various forms for it to be effectives hence, there were multiple forms in the Paleolithic art that enabled it to be integrated into oral traditions for compelling storytelling. Portable art and parietal art are the various forms incorporated in Paleolithic art. Art drawn on the walls is referred to as Parietal art. Another kind of ancient craftsmanship is portable art. Portable art is reasonably small and not difficult to carry. These two arts greatly praise each other in verbal customs and narrative. As two analysts, Moro Abadia and Manuel said that works of art in the cave, including parietal bones and eclectic works of art, look like a single ancient relic or object. (Moro Abadia & Manuel, p270). It is important to note that despite these works, which Moro Abadia and Manuel call “non-concrete works of art,” what was painted on the cave walls looked like what the craftsmen saw. Parts and eclectic processing (Moro Abadia & Manuel, p270). Whether it’s a one-off material or a natural material, the rarity of parietal art and portable artifacts seemed like a story. Animals’ and hunters’ shapes were the symbols that resembled the painting on the parietal wall on which most paints and stories were crafted. The reason craftsmanship and eclectic craftsmanship influenced verbal habits was that it was another story about the childhood of things, but it was used in addition to life and entertainment.

         Since the artificial Paleolithic craftsmanship, the verbal practice has been appreciated in the work of overview and expression. Dunn et al. emphasize that verbal practice favors a pictorial record of time (Dunn et al.), as revealed in a research article by Arthur J. Evans He describes this time frame as the “reindeer period.” Plans carried out with this type of craftsmanship revolved around spear-wielding stick figures known as “rude hunters” alongside wildlife such as deer and ponies (Dunn et al.). As Dunn et al. suggest, the importance of oral practice and visual recordings complement each other. This is essential as animals could be hunted down or stalked by the hunters. In addition, cave painting records suggest an opportunity that has taken place, in any case, the combination of Dunn et al, exploration and storytelling may show how vital the craftsmanship of Paleolithic cave stick figures and creatures was to record these events and to incorporate these practices and methods in artwork and oral traditions. 

         By the time oral practice began, it can be inferred that the glow of the flames, surrounded by the crowd and illuminating the cave’s party wall, told the story. Many age groups have begun to rewrite old and new descriptions, adding commonly painted dividers. Paving the way to today. verbal habits and stories are still carried out in our routine. Storytelling has recently emerged, including video blogging and digital recording. Both video blogs and digital broadcasts have become very popular, demonstrating that storytelling continues to change today’s verbal practices. For example, starting with a more visual structure, Paleolithic processing shows that all kinds of storytelling are essential (Moro Abadía et al., p275). The recognizable and visual storytelling methods are immeasurably unique, but the essence of entertainment remains. The effects of storytelling have been used since ancient times and, in any case, further, limit social cohesion in many structures. Whether these structures appear in books, music, movies, or media sources, verbal habits remain a fundamental pillar of our way of life and seem to be intended to tell stories.

In conclusion, people during the Paleolithic era were advancing and evolving, as shown by the creativity of the cave paintings. Their thinking capacity was fascinating as they could think of certain things and build them, such as their beautifully designed shelters covered with leather. From the above analysis of the Paleolithic art and culture, the art during this period kept on changing with the continued advancement and discoveries of the people over the decades that proceeded. Hunters in this era used mainly drawings to communicate and pass down their culture to future generations. All the creativity in the art that people in this era portrayed signifies how brilliant they were and how they valued artwork. The Paleolithic era is so interesting, and a person will be mind-blown by how creative the people were.

Works Cited 

Barzilai, Omry & Ofer, Marder & Hershkovitz, Israel. (2016). The Early Upper Paleolithic Period at Manot Cave, Western Galilee, Israel. Human Evolution. 31. 85-100. 10.14673/HE2016121016. 

Dunn, RR, Spiros, MC, Kamnikar, KR, Plemons, AM, Hefner, JT. Ancestry estimation in forensic anthropology: A review. WIREs Forensic Sci. 2020; 2:e1369 

Gilead, Isaac. “The Upper Paleolithic period in the Levant.” joumal of World Prehistory 5.2

(1991): 105-154.

Moro A badia, Oscar, and Manuel R. González Morales. “Paleolithic art: a cultural

history.” Journal of Archaeological Research 21.3 (2013): 269-306.

SINGER, RONALD and WYMER, JOHN J.. “A Hand-Ax from Northwest Iran: The Question of Human Movement Between Africa and Asia in the Lower Paleolithic Period”. Views of the Past: Essays in Old World Prehistory and Paleanthropology, edited by Leslie G. Freeman, Berlin, New York: De Gruyter Mouton, 2011, pp. 13-27.