Art in Early

Civilizations
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1 discuss how art was used by prehistoric people to depict
everyday life:
2. Identify the central themes of prehistoric art;
3. differentiate the techniques used during the three kingdoms of
early Egypt; and
4. explain how art is linked with religion in early Egyptian
civilization.
Stone Age is a term used to describe a period
of history when stones were used to make
tools for survival. The term "conjures an image
of men and women dressed in skins, huddling
before a fire in a cave" (Fitchner-Rathus, 2013).
Though prehistoric humans would not
necessarily possess the complex rational
capabilities to tell their story through written
records and accounts, some artifacts in the
form of cave paintings and sculptures would
serve as the "storytellers."
 Three periods of the Stone Age
culture

Paleolithic (the late years of the Old

Stone Age),
Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age),
Neolithic (New Stone Age).
The unearthing of archeological artifacts and
remains provides modern society a glimpse of
the beliefs, practices, and activities of early
civilizations. The motives and reasons behind the
creation of ancient materials such as sculptures,
paintings, and architectural structures may not
be clearly defined. Nevertheless, the early
people produced such materials that reflect their
attitudes and belief systems on spiritual, social,
political, and economic matters.
Prehistoric Art
Archeological explorations reveal
that there has been a gradual shift
from a nomadic lifestyle of early
humans to that of permanent
settlements, paving the way for the
rise of early civilizations.
Paleolithic Art is a product of climate
change. As the climate got colder, part
the early humans instinct is to look for
shelters that would provide then with
warmthCaves became protective havens
for the early humans and these caves
paved the way for the birth of their first
attempts to create art.
The cave paintings would
eventually be called the "Hall
of Bulls".
Evoke naturalism, which is
evidently seen through the
contours of the animals' body and
their dark colors.
Although most people would think that early
humans were primitive, some of their art
techniques wers considered advanced for their
time. Some of the early humans already used
their own version of spray-painting techniques by
using ground pigments blown through reeds or
hollowed-out bones since these were the readily
available maternals for them. Aside from this
spray-painting technique, early humans also
worked with foreshortening and contrasting of
lights and shadows. These techniques created
the illusion of thees cimensional forms and
seemingly real representation of animals.
• Artworks can be considered ornamental but there is
litle evidence to fully back up this notion that early
humans created these cave paintings for that very
purpose Most of these works were discovered inside
the deep recesses of caves so they may not
necessarily be used as decorative items. Some would
say that these caves with paintings all over the walls
and cellings served as a kind of sanctuary for the early
humans. As a safe haven, religious rituals could have
possibly transpired within the confines of the caves.
• Neolithic art has developed especially when
life for the early humans has become more
stable. They have learned to cultivate the
land and domesticate animals. By 4000
BCE, there were several monumental and
architectural structures erected. One of
them is the Stonehenge located in Southern
England.
• The purpose of this fascinating edifice remains
a mystery up to this day and age. Some regard
it as a temple while others see it as complex
calendar the tracked the movements of both
the Sun and Moon. Others ascribe some
magical element to it by associating it with
Merlin the Magician from King Arthur's story.
For whatever purpose it was built on, it still
remains as one of the architectural wonders
the world has ever seen.
• As the Neolithic Period drew to a close, it was
evident that offerentements of evilization
flourished in various parts of the world. it is a
notable that most way cevilizations emerged
and flourished in river valleys the Nile in Egypt
Indus in India Tigris and Euphrates in
Mesopotamia and Huang Ho River in China
Egyptian Art
- The Fertile Ribbon starts from the banks of the
Nile River which flows north to Africa and ventures
into the Mediterranean. It is in this very ribbon
where early Egyptians recognized the integral role
of the Nile River to their daily lives it is this
indispensability and utility that eventually led to
the belief that the Nile is to be worshipped as a
god. With this came the notion that art was
something that can be ascribed and associated
with religion.
The Egyptian civilization can be divided into three
periods:
Old, Middle, and New Kingdom. Looking at the
three periods, it can be noticed that for the
Egyptians, art should be something religious and
spiritual. There may have been differences in the
techniques used and style emphasized, but there
are common denominators among the artworks
created during their respective time periods.
During the Old Kingdom - lt was evident that
religion was bound to the afterlife A concrete
manifestation of this would have to be the
erection of tombs. But the tombs were not just for
keeping the dead bodies of important people,
particulary the pharaohs, they also served as a
shelter for the hext journey, whiciste afterlife.
They decorated the tombs with everyday objects
that would refect day to-day activities as if the
afterlife is a mere continuation of what transpired
on earth.
• The human figures seen in the tombs were
represented in such a way that the profile of the head
was evident, while the pelvis, legs, and upper torso
were prominent and the eyes are in frontal view. Inside
the tombs, the walls were also decorated and carved in
very low relief and incised detail. It can be coboed that
the use of color was evident but may have not been
widely utilized because of its relative impermanence.
One of the cosmetic palettes found in Egypt
was called the Narmer Palette It was a
palette that utilized and applied dark colors
around King Narmer's eyes The palette was
also a symbol that commemorates the
unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
At the back of the palette King Narmer can be
seen wearing the crown of Upper Egypt looking
victorious over an enemy. In addition, two more
dead warriors in be seen beneth him. to his right
is a falcon, the god Horus perched on papyrus
stalks, which is a symbol of Lower Egypt. The top
is sculpted with bull-shaped heads with human
features that is a representation of Hathor. This
god symbolizes love and joy.
The Narmer Palette - is one of the artifacts that
emphasizes the king's supreme and absolute authority.
In most cases, the king is not just an authority figure
but can be depicted and revered as a deity.
The choice of materials is deliberate since they want the
sculptures to endure and withstand any condition
Permanence was important because these sculptures
would serve as the house of the ka or soul once the
remains of the mummy disintegrate.
• During the Old Kingdom - one of the
architectural wonders was also
constructed. The pyramids in Giza
served as tombs since their main
purpose was to provide a resting place
for the pharaohs.
• The stones used for the pyramids were
quarried from a nearby plateau. The
construction of the pyramids highlighted
the ingenuity and advancement of the
Egyptians for their time.
The tacking process also showed the
advancement of the Egyptians since they
already ed a system of ropes and pulleys.
Middle Kingdom is a shift in the political hierarchy.There
is an emergence of powerful groups of landlords that
threatened the authority and rule of the pharaoh.
The insides of the tombs were still filled with chamber
and the hallways were lavishly decorated to celebrate
the life of the deceased
which we carved out of living rocks, served
not only a sanctuary for the dead but also a
place of worship for the living. During this
period.
• After the New Kingcom, Egypt witnessed the
Amarna Revolution led by King Akhenaton and
Queen Nefertiti, He moved the capital to Tel
El-Amarna, thus the name Amarna During his
reign, King Amenhotep wanted to
revolutionize the arts and religion. He later on
changed his name to Akhenaton, which came
from Aton who is the sun god.
Akhenaton - Died, his successors returned
to the more rigid and conventional styles
they employed during the period of the
kingdoms.
One of the greatest discoveries from the
Egyptian civilization was the tomb

Tutankhamen. He became king at a very

young age and died at the age of eighteen
Howard Carter discovered his tomb in 1922.
They were astonished to find gold artworks
and that the coffin was made out of solid gold.
The body of the young king was covered in
linen and a gold mask covered his face.
 Armama Revolution - Art has been
directly used particularly in religious and
spiritual activities Through these
unearthed and discovered artworks, the
modern word could have a better
understanding of the past and how it can
affect the present.