Objectives

Historically, art has been created to serve specific goals or functions. The study of art from prehistoric times to early civilization gives us insight into the goals of early humans. The visual images created by Paleolithic and Neolithic peoples give us the only insight into this time because there was no written language.

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Discuss the role art history plays in our understanding of history.
• Discuss prehistoric art.
• Discuss the possible reasons Paleolithic peoples painted cave walls and produced small stone carvings.
• Discuss the shift from the hunting society of Paleolithic peoples to the agricultural society of the Neolithic period.
• Discuss the developments that would lead to civilization.