Lower to Upper Paleolithic

Describes human evolution, biological and cultural, to the capacity to make tools and create art.

1. Precursors of CivilizationPrecursors of Civilization
Lower to Upper PaleolithicLower to Upper Paleolithic

2. Introduction to PrehistoryIntroduction to Prehistory
•If art is part of the humanities, then we need to If art is part of the humanities, then we need to
know when and how humans developedknow when and how humans developed
•Our ancestors probably developed 3.7 million Our ancestors probably developed 3.7 million
years ago, probably earlieryears ago, probably earlier
•Toolmaking began possibly 1.5 million years agoToolmaking began possibly 1.5 million years ago
•Skillful toolmaking began about 1 million years Skillful toolmaking began about 1 million years
ago, as did the use of fireago, as did the use of fire
•Art and sculpture came late; about 30,000 years Art and sculpture came late; about 30,000 years
agoago

3. Overview of the the PeriodsOverview of the the Periods
•Pre-toolmaking hominins: Australopithecines (including Pre-toolmaking hominins: Australopithecines (including
“Lucy”)“Lucy”)
•““Lucy” was Australopithecus afarensis, named after the Lucy” was Australopithecus afarensis, named after the
Beatles tune “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”Beatles tune “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
•Lower Paleolithic: Choppers and HandaxesLower Paleolithic: Choppers and Handaxes
•Middle Paleolithic: Flake Tool TechnologyMiddle Paleolithic: Flake Tool Technology
•Upper Paleolithic: Specialized Tools, Rise of the ArtsUpper Paleolithic: Specialized Tools, Rise of the Arts
•Mesolithic: Rise of Settlements (Nittano, Japan)Mesolithic: Rise of Settlements (Nittano, Japan)
•Neolithic: Domestication of Plants and AnimalsNeolithic: Domestication of Plants and Animals

4. Lucy: a.k.a Australopithecus Lucy: a.k.a Australopithecus
AfarensisAfarensis
•No, no, not No, no, not that that Lucy!Lucy!
•Jeeves, can’t you get Jeeves, can’t you get anythinganything right? right?

5. Australopithecus Afarensis and Australopithecus Afarensis and
Homo Sapiens Homo Sapiens
•Notice the following: Notice the following:
•Apelike features, such asApelike features, such as
•Heavy brow ridgeHeavy brow ridge
•Forward-projecting lower faceForward-projecting lower face
•Long armsLong arms
•Curved fingersCurved fingers
•Humanlike features, likeHumanlike features, like
•S-shaped vertebraeS-shaped vertebrae
•Bowl-shaped pelvisBowl-shaped pelvis
•Arched feetArched feet
•Hands capable of manipulationHands capable of manipulation

6. Homo habilisHomo habilis: The Handyman: The Handyman
•Notice its brow ridges and its Notice its brow ridges and its
sloping foreheadsloping forehead
•But its face is somewhat But its face is somewhat
flatterflatter
•And its teeth are smallAnd its teeth are small
•Average cranial capacity was Average cranial capacity was
680 cubic centimeters680 cubic centimeters
•Compare that with Lucy’s Compare that with Lucy’s
kind: 440 cc. on averagekind: 440 cc. on average
•Chimps average 400 ccChimps average 400 cc

7. Homo habilisHomo habilis and the Oldowan and the Oldowan
TraditionTradition
•Homo habilisHomo habilis was the first known was the first known
toolmaker (upper left)toolmaker (upper left)
•His cranial capacity averaged 680 His cranial capacity averaged 680
cubic centimeters, compared to 440 cubic centimeters, compared to 440
of A. afarensis’s skullof A. afarensis’s skull
•Hands were better adapted; fingers Hands were better adapted; fingers
were not curvedwere not curved
•Choppers (lower left) involved Choppers (lower left) involved
knapping a few flakes off the coreknapping a few flakes off the core
•Both cores and flakes were used.Both cores and flakes were used.

8. Homo erectusHomo erectus or or ergasterergaster
Note:Note:
•Apelike but larger Apelike but larger
craniumcranium
•Postcranial SkeletonPostcranial Skeleton
•Vertebrae: S ShapedVertebrae: S Shaped
•Ribcage: Not funnel Ribcage: Not funnel
shaped, now like oursshaped, now like ours
•Pelvis: Bowl shapedPelvis: Bowl shaped
•Angle of ThighboneAngle of Thighbone

9. Homo erectus, the Acheulean Homo erectus, the Acheulean
Handaxe, and FireHandaxe, and Fire
•Notice the following:Notice the following:
•Homo erectus is fully bipedalHomo erectus is fully bipedal
•Cranial capacity is 1000 cc on averageCranial capacity is 1000 cc on average
•Has learned to control fire (above left)Has learned to control fire (above left)
•Signature tool: a well-designed handaxe, Signature tool: a well-designed handaxe,
very symmetrical, with 25-75 retouchesvery symmetrical, with 25-75 retouches
•This showed a sensitivity to aesthetics as This showed a sensitivity to aesthetics as
well as functionwell as function
•Handaxe had multiple uses, from cutting to Handaxe had multiple uses, from cutting to
chopping to piercing.chopping to piercing.

10. Homo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensis or or “Archaic” “Archaic” Homo Homo
sapienssapiens
•Left: Skull. Note heavy brow ridge, prognathismLeft: Skull. Note heavy brow ridge, prognathism
•Right:: Artist’s conception of “Heidelberg Man”Right:: Artist’s conception of “Heidelberg Man”

11. Levallois Flake and Flaking Levallois Flake and Flaking
TechniqueTechnique
•This is part of the Middle Paleolithic tradition of This is part of the Middle Paleolithic tradition of H.heidelbergensisH.heidelbergensis

12. Manufacturing Levallois Cores Manufacturing Levallois Cores
and Flakesand Flakes
•Knapper drew outline of flake on stone moduleKnapper drew outline of flake on stone module
•Strikes flake of desired shapeStrikes flake of desired shape
•This required knowledge of the rock’s pattern of fractureThis required knowledge of the rock’s pattern of fracture
•H. heidelbergensis prepared the rock beforehand H. heidelbergensis prepared the rock beforehand
•to control how it would break when it was struck and to control how it would break when it was struck and
•so ensure that the right shape (e.g. cutting, perforation, so ensure that the right shape (e.g. cutting, perforation,
piercing) was producedpiercing) was produced

13. Homo neanderthalensis Homo neanderthalensis or or
NeanderthalsNeanderthals
•A controversial figureA controversial figure
•Some say they were a lot like modern Some say they were a lot like modern
humans, and that we might have their humans, and that we might have their
genesgenes
•Others would say that they were too Others would say that they were too
different from us to even be our different from us to even be our
ancestors. ancestors.
•Top: a preconceived notion of Top: a preconceived notion of
Neanderthal as “caveman,” taken from an Neanderthal as “caveman,” taken from an
arthritic old man of 40 years.arthritic old man of 40 years.
•Bottom: artists conception of Bottom: artists conception of
Neanderthal childNeanderthal child

14. Humanlike Attributes of Humanlike Attributes of
Neanderthals INeanderthals I
•In Shanidar, Iraq, the In Shanidar, Iraq, the
Neanderthals show signs Neanderthals show signs
of compassion.of compassion.
•One individual had a One individual had a
disability, yet lived to be 40 disability, yet lived to be 40
yearsyears
•They also seemed to have a They also seemed to have a
conception of an afterlifeconception of an afterlife
•This is evidenced by flower This is evidenced by flower
pollen covering this bonepollen covering this bone

15. Humanlike Attributes of Humanlike Attributes of
Neanderthals IINeanderthals II
•Conception of an afterlifeConception of an afterlife
•Was shown by the actual burial site at Was shown by the actual burial site at
La Ferrassie, France (upper) La Ferrassie, France (upper)
•There were seven tombsThere were seven tombs
•The tombs included a man, a woman The tombs included a man, a woman
and several childrenand several children
•They were lying side by side (above).They were lying side by side (above).
•Below is an artist’s conception of a Below is an artist’s conception of a
burial taking place in Shanidar, Iraqburial taking place in Shanidar, Iraq

16. Mousterian TraditionMousterian Tradition
•This tool tradition is positively identified with This tool tradition is positively identified with
NeanderhalsNeanderhals
•Le Moustier, France is a Neanderthal siteLe Moustier, France is a Neanderthal site
•The tools belong to The tools belong to Middle PaleolithicMiddle Paleolithic
•More sophisticated than Oldowan or Acheulean, More sophisticated than Oldowan or Acheulean,
both both Lower PaleolithicLower Paleolithic
•François Bordes François Bordes categorizes the Mousterian categorizes the Mousterian
into 63 typesinto 63 types

17. Mousterian Tool AssemblageMousterian Tool Assemblage
•Sample includes scrapers, points, and handaxesSample includes scrapers, points, and handaxes
•Other types included notched objects (probably for spear shafts), burins for Other types included notched objects (probably for spear shafts), burins for
engraving, and knivesengraving, and knives

18. Châtelperronian: First of the Upper Châtelperronian: First of the Upper
PaleolithicPaleolithic
•Here are the later tools made Here are the later tools made
by Neanderthals, the by Neanderthals, the
Châtelperronian Châtelperronian
•Compare the Compare the
Châtelperronian point with Châtelperronian point with
the scraper and burin from the scraper and burin from
the Mousterian (above)the Mousterian (above)
•Blades, characteristic of the Blades, characteristic of the
Upper Paleolithic, are at least Upper Paleolithic, are at least
twice as long as they are twice as long as they are
wide, and usually longer wide, and usually longer
(below)(below)

19. Upper Paleolithic: The Great Upper Paleolithic: The Great
Leap Forward?Leap Forward?
•Upper Paleolithic probably begins about 50,000 BPUpper Paleolithic probably begins about 50,000 BP
•Primary AttributesPrimary Attributes
•Shift from flake tools to blades, and more recent sites Shift from flake tools to blades, and more recent sites
yield small and smaller blades--microbladesyield small and smaller blades--microblades
•Populations subsist on greater range of animal and plant Populations subsist on greater range of animal and plant
speciesspecies
•The sites themselves increase in sizeThe sites themselves increase in size
•Increase of bone, antler, ivory, shell, and other materials Increase of bone, antler, ivory, shell, and other materials
for toolsfor tools

20. Upper Paleolithic: Associated Upper Paleolithic: Associated
AttributesAttributes
•Associated AttributesAssociated Attributes
•Greater use of “imported” goods: Greater use of “imported” goods:
•Raw materials found that are obtainable only at Raw materials found that are obtainable only at
great distances from inhabited sites.great distances from inhabited sites.
•This either suggests long distance travel or, more This either suggests long distance travel or, more
likely, trade.likely, trade.
•More elaborate burials, with grave goods.More elaborate burials, with grave goods.
•Appearance and elaborate use of symbols and Appearance and elaborate use of symbols and
works of art.works of art.

21. Upper Paleolithic: The BladesUpper Paleolithic: The Blades
•Blades begin roughly 40,000 Years BPBlades begin roughly 40,000 Years BP
•Comparative efficiencyComparative efficiency
•Levallois cores may produce 5 flakesLevallois cores may produce 5 flakes
•Many more blades could be produced from Many more blades could be produced from
same core--and with longer cutting edgesame core--and with longer cutting edge
•Unlike other traditions, blade traditions are Unlike other traditions, blade traditions are
shorter livedshorter lived

22. Upper Paleolithic AssemblageUpper Paleolithic Assemblage
•Upper Paleolithic Tools (left to right): biconical bone point, Upper Paleolithic Tools (left to right): biconical bone point,
Perigordian flint blade, prismatic blade core, Solutrean Perigordian flint blade, prismatic blade core, Solutrean
Willow leaf point, double-row barbed harpoon point Willow leaf point, double-row barbed harpoon point
(various sites in France)(various sites in France)

23. The Solutrean PointsThe Solutrean Points
•Note the followingNote the following
•There is an aesthetic as well as a practical side to these pointsThere is an aesthetic as well as a practical side to these points
•There is a conscious effort to shape them like a laurel leafThere is a conscious effort to shape them like a laurel leaf
•There is variation in design. There is variation in design.

24. Magdalenian Tool TraditionMagdalenian Tool Tradition
•Notice that the harpoon heads (to the left) are made of Notice that the harpoon heads (to the left) are made of
bone; ivory and wood also become important materials bone; ivory and wood also become important materials
in addition to stonein addition to stone
•Art is also coming into being, as evidenced by this horse’ Art is also coming into being, as evidenced by this horse’
head carving to the right.head carving to the right.

25. Themes of Upper PaleolithicThemes of Upper Paleolithic
•The following themes dominate the Upper The following themes dominate the Upper
Paleolithic:Paleolithic:
•Hunting: large animals dominate the themes of Hunting: large animals dominate the themes of
the art, especially the cavesthe art, especially the caves
•Fertility: sexuality dominates other art, especially Fertility: sexuality dominates other art, especially
the Venus figurinesthe Venus figurines
•Inference: lacking writing, we can only infer past Inference: lacking writing, we can only infer past
cultures from those of the present or recent pastcultures from those of the present or recent past

26. Upper Paleolithic Art: Cave PaintingsUpper Paleolithic Art: Cave Paintings
•This illustration from Lascaux This illustration from Lascaux
Cave, S. France, shows how Cave, S. France, shows how
much fine detail goes into much fine detail goes into
animals (upper left)animals (upper left)
•Humans in contrast are drawn, Humans in contrast are drawn,
if at all, as stick figures, such if at all, as stick figures, such
as shown by this sketch at as shown by this sketch at
Lascaux (lower left)Lascaux (lower left)
•The bird-like stick the man is The bird-like stick the man is
dropping could represent a dropping could represent a
totem or symbol of a clantotem or symbol of a clan
•All this, of course, is based on All this, of course, is based on
speculation and inference from speculation and inference from
living cultures.living cultures.

27. Site Analysis: CosquerSite Analysis: Cosquer
•Cosquer, near Marseille, S. Cosquer, near Marseille, S.
FranceFrance
• Land animals comprise horses Land animals comprise horses
(left) , ibex, and others (left) , ibex, and others
•Sea animals also are included, Sea animals also are included,
such as great auks or penguins such as great auks or penguins
(left), seals, and jellyfish(left), seals, and jellyfish
•Style: extensive use of black Style: extensive use of black
pigment and pigment and
•The cave is now under waterThe cave is now under water

28. Site Analysis: ChauvetSite Analysis: Chauvet
•Chauvet is located in Ardeche Chauvet is located in Ardeche
Valley, S.E. FranceValley, S.E. France
•Cave includes several species of Cave includes several species of
animals together; depicted using red animals together; depicted using red
or black pigment (upper left)or black pigment (upper left)
•Animals depicted: mammoths, Animals depicted: mammoths,
horses, pigs, and many othershorses, pigs, and many others
•Predatory animals, such as this row Predatory animals, such as this row
of lions (lower left)of lions (lower left)
•Bear skull and skeletons also foundBear skull and skeletons also found

29. Site Analysis: Pech-Merle: Site Analysis: Pech-Merle:
HandprintsHandprints
•Handprints are found everywhere, Handprints are found everywhere,
but Pech-Merle is full of thembut Pech-Merle is full of them
•The hand was pressed against the The hand was pressed against the
rock and stenciled with ochre rock and stenciled with ochre
(upper left)(upper left)
•Significance unknown; possibly a Significance unknown; possibly a
signature of artist, hand signals, or signature of artist, hand signals, or
part of initiation ritepart of initiation rite
•A spotted horse, again with a A spotted horse, again with a
handprinthandprint

30. Site Analysis: Trois-FreiresSite Analysis: Trois-Freires
•This is interpreted as a man dressed as This is interpreted as a man dressed as
a stag a stag
•Could also be an animal godCould also be an animal god
•Most common: interpreted as a Most common: interpreted as a
shamanshaman
•Namely, a sorcerer performing his Namely, a sorcerer performing his
magic (see box, p. 35) magic (see box, p. 35)
•Or manipulating supernatural forces Or manipulating supernatural forces
according to his wishesaccording to his wishes
•Location: Trois-Freres in Arage, S.W. Location: Trois-Freres in Arage, S.W.
France.France.

31. Site Analysis: LascauxSite Analysis: Lascaux
•The most famous site: LascauxThe most famous site: Lascaux
•Wide range of animals with humans as stick figuresWide range of animals with humans as stick figures
•Bison charging at man has elicited many interpretationsBison charging at man has elicited many interpretations
•Bird: a totem of the man’s clan? Why depicted as a stick figure?Bird: a totem of the man’s clan? Why depicted as a stick figure?

32. Lasaux: Other Animals Lasaux: Other Animals
•““Chinese horse”: interpreted as Chinese horse”: interpreted as
pregnant because of sagging middle pregnant because of sagging middle
(upper left)(upper left)
•Scene from “Room of the Bulls”Scene from “Room of the Bulls”
•Technique: object is first outlined, Technique: object is first outlined,
then filling it n with pigmentthen filling it n with pigment
•Pigment may have been blown inside Pigment may have been blown inside
the outlines, using hollow bones the outlines, using hollow bones
•These bones, with traces of pigment, These bones, with traces of pigment,
have been found in the caves, have been found in the caves,
providing the context for this providing the context for this
interpretation. interpretation.

33. Site Analysis: Altamira, SpainSite Analysis: Altamira, Spain
•Location, Pyrenees, NE SpainLocation, Pyrenees, NE Spain
•Natural bulges of rocks matched Natural bulges of rocks matched
contours of various animals contours of various animals
•Standing bison shows various Standing bison shows various
shadings of ochre, giving three-shadings of ochre, giving three-
dimensional impressiondimensional impression
•Painted ceiling of animals Painted ceiling of animals
•Limbs are of black manganese; Limbs are of black manganese;
bodies are of ochre with shadingbodies are of ochre with shading

34. Upper Paleolithic Art: Portable Upper Paleolithic Art: Portable
SculptureSculpture
•Figurines also figure prominently in Upper Figurines also figure prominently in Upper
Paleolithic artPaleolithic art
•Top: Venus figure from Willendorf, Austria; Top: Venus figure from Willendorf, Austria;
this is the style of figurine most often this is the style of figurine most often
representedrepresented
•The lower figure is a frieze imitation of a The lower figure is a frieze imitation of a
Paleolithic statuettePaleolithic statuette
•She is somewhat thinner than the “classic” She is somewhat thinner than the “classic”
Venus Venus
•She is also holding a cone-shaped object, She is also holding a cone-shaped object,
which some archaeologists interpret as a which some archaeologists interpret as a
cornucopiacornucopia

35. The Variety of Venus CarvingsThe Variety of Venus Carvings
•This shows the variety of This shows the variety of
Venus carvings in the Upper Venus carvings in the Upper
Paleolithic’Paleolithic’
•One holds a “cornucopia” One holds a “cornucopia”
symbolizing plenty, according symbolizing plenty, according
to one interpretationto one interpretation
•One is quite thin (lower right)One is quite thin (lower right)
•Patricia Rice identified 150 Patricia Rice identified 150
typestypes

36. Upper Paleolithic: Dolni VestoniceUpper Paleolithic: Dolni Vestonice
•Dolni Vestonice is a classic Dolni Vestonice is a classic
Paleolithic sitePaleolithic site
•The site has the Venus statuette The site has the Venus statuette
with large breasts and even larger with large breasts and even larger
hipships
•This dwelling of hide and This dwelling of hide and
mammoth bone was typical in this mammoth bone was typical in this
sitesite
•However, another set of figurines However, another set of figurines
inspires curiosity. Read on. inspires curiosity. Read on.

37. Dolni Vestonice: Art and BurialDolni Vestonice: Art and Burial
•Ivory plaque with human head was found in Ivory plaque with human head was found in
19361936
•Left half of lip and eye lower than ones on right Left half of lip and eye lower than ones on right
•Figurine of a woman’s head found in 1948 (left)Figurine of a woman’s head found in 1948 (left)
•Left side was also distorted.Left side was also distorted.
•Burial site was excavated from under 2 scapula Burial site was excavated from under 2 scapula
of mammothof mammoth
•Analysis suggested nerve damage on left side of Analysis suggested nerve damage on left side of
skeletal face of an elderly womanskeletal face of an elderly woman
•Were these all of the same women? The original Were these all of the same women? The original
excavator thinks so. excavator thinks so.

38. Commonalities of the Paleolithic ICommonalities of the Paleolithic I
•The Paleolithic is the longest of all stone ages, The Paleolithic is the longest of all stone ages,
covering roughly 2 million years.covering roughly 2 million years.
•Several hominin species lived side by sideSeveral hominin species lived side by side
•The last non-modern form, the Neanderthal, The last non-modern form, the Neanderthal,
died off about 30,000 BCE (Before Common died off about 30,000 BCE (Before Common
Era)Era)
•They were all foragers, or hunters or gatherersThey were all foragers, or hunters or gatherers

39. Commonalities of the Paleolithic IICommonalities of the Paleolithic II
•The first signs of the arts—cave murals and The first signs of the arts—cave murals and
portable sculptures-- begins in the Upper portable sculptures-- begins in the Upper
PaleolithicPaleolithic
•Next, we will look briefly at the Mesolithic, Next, we will look briefly at the Mesolithic,
which included the first settlementswhich included the first settlements
•Then focus on the Neolithic, especially the Then focus on the Neolithic, especially the
Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent