Cave Art

This book examines the archaeology of cave art and the structures of behavior, geographical patterns, and temporal trends illustrated through its formal properties and distributions of artworks. It discusses the discovery of four classic sites in Spain, France, and Australia; the methods of cave art research; the beginnings of art and early artistic expressions; the earliest art of modern humans; and the art of the Ice Age in Western Europe and beyond. Annotation ©2017 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
An archaeological exploration of the mysterious world of cave art through the ages
Deep underground, some of humanity’s earliest artistic endeavors have lain untouched for millennia. The dark interiors of caves, wherever they may be found, seem to have had a powerful draw for ancient peoples, who littered the cave floors with objects they had made. Later, they adorned cave walls with sacred symbols and secret knowledge, from the very first abstract symbols and handprints to complex and vivid arrangements of animals and people. Often undisturbed for many tens of thousands of years, these were among the first visual symbols that humans shared with each other, though they were made so long ago that we have entirely forgotten their meaning. However, as archaeologist Bruno David reveals, caves decorated more recently may help us to unlock their secrets.David tells the story of this mysterious world of decorated caves, from the oldest known painting tools to the magnificent murals of the European Ice Age. Showcasing the most astounding discoveries made in more than 150 years of archaeological exploration, Cave Art explores the creative achievements of our remotest ancestors and what they tell us about the human past.