In 1994, scientists discovered Neanderthal paintings on the wall of France's Grotte Chauvet that date to 32,000 years ago. From them scientists have learned a great deal about the artists who painted them. The true significance of cave paintings is not yet known. Several theories exist, however, claiming that they represent hunting magic to help hunters catch their prey or that they are interpretations of social divisions through animal imagery.
In this particular set of paintings, there is an overwhelming presence of rhinos, mammoths, and lions, all of which were common in Europe at the time. However, there are three times as many present in this location as found in later paintings. This could be a reflection of early religious beliefs that changed later on or regional differences among the species.
This set of paintings can help provide insight into the artist from a more scientific point of view. Each red dot in the painting on the right in the remnant of a hand print. What is left of each one mostly consists of the palm and part of the fingers. From paintings like these scientists can determine height and gender of the artist. The tallest prints came from a man standing at 1.8 meters tall. They found that men, women, and children took part in cave paintings. The fact that this tradition was being passed along to children might explain what activities took place in the caves, such as a rudimentary form of education, but the true significance is not yet known.
This is clearly a very important part of Neanderthal society. The fact that the tradition of cave paintings is passed down to children shows that they cared about its survival. While the pictures of animals can be interpreted in different ways, the hands have yet to be explained. To me, they look like interpretations of the night sky at first glance. I hope to use these paintings as an insight into Neanderthal culture and life.
Cave Model For my creation project I decided to make a model of the Grotte Chauvet caves in France. I basically recreated the images found in the french cave, expecially the handprints. I decided to design the model as if it were a cave split down the middle so that the viewer could actually see the paintings.
In 1994, scientists discovered Neanderthal paintings on the wall of France's Grotte Chauvet that date to 32,000 years ago. From them scientists have learned a great deal about the artists who painted them. The true significance of cave paintings is not yet known. Several theories exist, however, claiming that they represent hunting magic to help hunters catch their prey or that they are interpretations of social divisions through animal imagery.
In this particular set of paintings, there is an overwhelming presence of rhinos, mammoths, and lions, all of which were common in Europe at the time. However, there are three times as many present in this location as found in later paintings. This could be a reflection of early religious beliefs that changed later on or regional differences among the species.
This set of paintings can help provide insight into the artist from a more scientific point of view. Each red dot in the painting on the right in the remnant of a hand print. What is left of each one mostly consists of the palm and part of the fingers. From paintings like these scientists can determine height and gender of the artist. The tallest prints came from a man standing at 1.8 meters tall. They found that men, women, and children took part in cave paintings. The fact that this tradition was being passed along to children might explain what activities took place in the caves, such as a rudimentary form of education, but the true significance is not yet known.
This is clearly a very important part of Neanderthal society. The fact that the tradition of cave paintings is passed down to children shows that they cared about its survival. While the pictures of animals can be interpreted in different ways, the hands have yet to be explained. To me, they look like interpretations of the night sky at first glance. I hope to use these paintings as an insight into Neanderthal culture and life.
Works Consulted:
Balter, Michael. "New Light on the Oldest Art." Science Magazine 12 Feb 1999 10 Nov 2008 <http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/Human%20Nature%20S%201999/new_light_on_the_oldest_art.htm>.
Cave Model
For my creation project I decided to make a model of the Grotte Chauvet caves in France. I basically recreated the images found in the french cave, expecially the handprints. I decided to design the model as if it were a cave split down the middle so that the viewer could actually see the paintings.