Unit 2 - Prehistoric Art (chapter 1) - Quiz, Flashcards & Trivia

1. What is depicted in the Rhinoceros, Wounded Man, and Bison in Dordogne, France ca. 15,000-13,000 BCE?

-separate images or earliest known narrative
-gory tale of a hunt, or a shaman's encounter with his spirit creatures
-male stick figure w birdlike head likes b/w wooly rhinoceros & disemboweled bison, bird-headed stick/staff nearby
-composite image

A group of prehistoric humans gathering for a ritual

A peaceful scene of animals grazing in the wild

A landscape painting of the Dordogne region

The correct answer describes a composite image of a male stick figure with a birdlike head, a wooly rhinoceros, a disemboweled bison, and a bird-headed stick or staff nearby, creating a gory tale of a hunt or a shaman's encounter with his spirit creatures.

Explanation

The correct answer describes a composite image of a male stick figure with a birdlike head, a wooly rhinoceros, a disemboweled bison, and a bird-headed stick or staff nearby, creating a gory tale of a hunt or a shaman's encounter with his spirit creatures.

2. What is significant about the largest bull in the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux Cave?

Largest bull approximate length 11'6"; located @ bottom of 16ft well shaft; viewers contend with precarious path, eerie flickering lights, echoing sounds, & muty smells --> all add texture to viewing process
luminated - rock lamps w fat/marrow
-used scaffolds, prepared wall by scraping w stoane tools-brings out white chalkiness for background
-deep in cave-ritual/religious purpose?
-magico-religious-naturalistic animals within outlines-control them, unnaturalistic human to avoid same control

The largest bull is located at the entrance of the cave, easily accessible to viewers

The largest bull is part of a separate section of the cave, not connected to the rest of the artwork

The largest bull is painted in bright colors, unlike the other animals in the cave

3. What is the possible significance of the Woman of Eillendorf statue from 28,000 - 25,000 BCE?

A hunting tool used by the ancient inhabitants of Eillendorf

A representation of a deity in the Eillendorf region

-suggest obstetrics tool/aid, documenting different stages of preg. to educate women towards healthy birth; may indicate artist was a woman
-abstract quality-streses potent fertility, no facial features-covered w schematically rendered hair (covers entire head)
-emphasis on figure's reproductive qualities-diminitive arms on large breasts, extended belly, large buttocks, genetalia b/w larg thighs
-fertility object?
distorted view of body may suggest woman artist

A form of communication between tribes in the area

4. What are some characteristics of the reconstruction of Catal Huyuk, Turkey Neolithic town, around 7500 BCE?

The town had individual houses surrounded by large gardens, with no shared walls with neighbors.

-Traded in ore - mainly obsidian
-lacked streets
-mud-brick & timber houses
-no doors @ ground level - accessed by hole in roof
-each house shared wall(s) with neighbours
-advantages:
-structural, saved on building materials & heating
-defensive-attacker had to scale walls & met with resistance on roof
-rooms accomodated workiing, cooking, sleeping (on wall platforms)
-burials beneath floor
-plastered walls often painted

The town primarily traded in gold and silver, and had wide streets and stone houses with elaborate doorways.

The houses in the town were built with concrete and steel, each with multiple doors at ground level for easy access.

The correct answer describes the unique characteristics of the reconstruction of Catal Huyuk, Turkey Neolithic town, emphasizing its trading practices, house structure, and defensive advantages.

Explanation

The correct answer describes the unique characteristics of the reconstruction of Catal Huyuk, Turkey Neolithic town, emphasizing its trading practices, house structure, and defensive advantages.

5. What is depicted in the painting titled View of Town and Volcano, Shrine VII.14, Catal Huyuk, ca. 6000BCE?

A battle scene featuring warriors from different tribes

A portrait of a famous historical figure from the ancient world

An abstract expressionist artwork with no discernible subject matter

-possibly first lanscape painting
-of Catal Huyuk w volcano
-rows of irregular blocklike houses (town?) & above it a bright red feature spotted w black & topped iwth black lines & dots may represent Hasan Dag, a twin-peaked volcano in view of town
-may indicate a sense of community in this early ssettlement, w inhabitants specifially identifying themselves w place

The painting depicts a view of the town of Catal Huyuk with a volcano in the background, showing rows of block-like houses and a distinctive red feature which may represent Hasan Dag. It is believed to be an early landscape painting emphasizing a sense of community in the settlement.

Explanation

The painting depicts a view of the town of Catal Huyuk with a volcano in the background, showing rows of block-like houses and a distinctive red feature which may represent Hasan Dag. It is believed to be an early landscape painting emphasizing a sense of community in the settlement.

6. What are some characteristics of the animal hunt depicted in the restoration of Main Room, Shrine A.III.1 in Catal Huyuk, ca. 6000BCE?

-plaster covered walls often painted
-depicting animal hunts w small human figures running around disproportionately large bulls/stags
-paintings were static, unlike earlier cave paintings that embodied motion
-most ornate rooms - shrines?
bulls' horns & plaster breasts may have signified fertility

-sculptures of mythological creatures

-depictions of everyday life activities

-abstract geometric patterns

The correct answer describes the characteristics of the animal hunt depicted in the restoration of the Main Room, Shrine A.III.1 in Catal Huyuk, including the presence of plaster covered walls often painted, small human figures, static paintings, and possible fertility symbolism.

Explanation

The correct answer describes the characteristics of the animal hunt depicted in the restoration of the Main Room, Shrine A.III.1 in Catal Huyuk, including the presence of plaster covered walls often painted, small human figures, static paintings, and possible fertility symbolism.

7. What is the significance of Stonehenge in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, dating back to ca. 2100 BCE?

Stonehenge was a Roman temple dedicated to the god Jupiter.

-megaliths in a chromlech (circle)
-like Menec, may mark the passing of time
-may have had a ritual function, perhaps assoc w burial-arrangement supports this-circles central to rituals in many societies
-many medieval observers to believed K. Arthur's magician created it
-like Menec-took tremendous organization of labour & engineering skill
-largest trilith @ centre of horseshoe, 24ft, supports a lintel 15ft long and 3ft thick
-the sarsen (sandstone) blocks weigh up to 50tons & travelled 37km fr Marlbourough Downs
-the bluestones originated 320km away in Welsh Preseli Mountains --> meticulous stone working
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Stonehenge was used as a fortress during the Viking invasions.

Stonehenge was built as an astronomical observatory by ancient aliens.