Global Pre-history Art Quiz

Study Notes

Jade Cong

Dates back to 3300-2200 BCE in Global pre-history, China.
Originated from Liangzhu, made from true jade/nephrite with patterns created using rubbed sand.
Found in graves alongside bi discs (donut-shaped).
Descriptive features include a square shape and hollow tubes.
Symbolism includes lines and circles potentially representing faces, with ambiguous meanings regarding power, nature, and death.
Possible interpretations of square (earth) and round (heavens) correlation.

Apollo 11

Created between 25,500-25,300 BCE in African Rock Art/Global pre-history.
Located in the Huns Mountains, Namibia; executed in charcoal on brown quartzite stone.
Likely functioned for ritual ceremonies, supported by skulls found in the area.
Context involves hunting and gathering nomadic peoples prior to migration.
Represents figurative/representational art, signifying early behavioral developments.

Great Hall of the Bulls

Dated between 15,000-13,000 BCE, embodies African Rock Art from the Paleolithic era.
Originates from Lascaux Cave, Dordogne, France, painted by unknown Lascaux painters.
Uses natural rock surfaces of smooth white limestone and rougher textures to create a dynamic composition.
Possibly served narrative or religious functions, akin to ritual purposes seen in other cave paintings.
Animals depicted in vibrant profiles, suggesting energetic storytelling rather than mere representation.

Camelid Sacrum

Dates to 14,000-7000 BCE, retrieved in 1870 from Lake Texcoco, central Mexico.
Crafted from bone, potentially resembling deer or canine skulls.
May have been used for shamanistic purposes, indicative of human interaction with the animal world.
Represents a connection to the shamanistic worldview and understanding of animals.

Stonehenge

Constructed between 3100-2000 BCE, located on Salisbury Plain, England.
Composed of sarsen stone, bluestone, and wooden posts using tongue and groove and mortise-and-tenon techniques.
Served as a burial site, calendar, and cultural center, based on animal bones found nearby.
Implicates communal effort without evidence of slavery and speculates on royal burials, solstice celebrations, or mystical healing practices.

Ambum Stone

Created around 1500 BCE, originating from Papua New Guinea.
Made from greywacke stone through chipping and hammering techniques.
Functions possibly as a ritual object, found in a cave, associated with early Pacific culture.
Freestanding and detailed, indicating its significance in rituals related to fertility and hunting.

Tlatilco Female Figure

Dated 1000 BCE from the Tlatilco region in the Valley of Mexico.
Crafted from clay with incised details, typically found in burial contexts.
Symbolizes fertility and possibly used as a charm for women, reflecting societal values.
Notable features include a double head, narrow waist, and broad hips, illustrating concepts of duality.

Terra Cotta Fragment

Created in 1000 BCE by Lapita peoples during their migrations.
Made from terracotta and features intricate incisions, possibly part of a large vessel.
Displays geometric styles with elaborate anthropomorphic faces, marking a significant example of Lapita art.

Running Horned Woman

Created between 6000-4000 BCE in Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria.
Utilizes pigment on rock, possibly representing ritualistic symbols.
Features long horns and depictions of a warrior figure, with surrounding smaller figures suggesting narrative depth.

Bushel with Ibex Motif

Dated 4200-3500 BCE, related to Global Pre-History.
Painted terracotta bushel served as a funerary object connected to the prosperity of the deceased's city.
Displays large horned goats, resembling Egyptian animals, indicating cultural exchanges and influences.
Represents the evolution towards Archaic Greek art, offering insights into early artistic traditions.

Description

Test your knowledge on ancient artifacts and their meanings, specifically focusing on the jade cong from Liangzhu and the rock art from Africa. Explore the symbolic representations and functions of these artifacts over various time periods. Delve into the context of burial practices and interpretations of shapes like squares and circles.