1. Why do you think ancient peoples created cave paintings?
2. Compare the paintings in the Altamira cave and the Lascaux cave. How are they different or similar?
3. Describe one of the paintings featured on the Altamira or Lascaux sites. Discuss what information have scholars learned about this painting?
4. Describe the Great Hall of the Bulls. What makes this section of the cave particularly famous and/or memorable?
5. Discuss anything in the caves or about the caves that surprised or especially interested you.
6. What are some of the differences and similarities between prehistoric art and the art that we see created today?
7. What are some of the issues (regarding conservation) that the Lascaux cave has faced since the year 2000? Describe and explain.
1. Ancient peoples created cave paintings as a way to express their beliefs, record events, and communicate ideas. These paintings served various purposes, such as religious or ritualistic practices, documenting hunting scenes, or marking significant locations. In some cases, cave art may have been used as a form of storytelling to pass down cultural traditions and transmit knowledge from one generation to another.
To understand why ancient people created cave paintings, historians and archaeologists have studied the context in which these artworks were created. They analyze the materials used, the techniques employed, and the cultural and environmental factors of the time. By examining the paintings alongside other archaeological evidence, researchers can draw conclusions about the motivations and intentions behind these ancient artworks.
2. Comparing the paintings in the Altamira cave and the Lascaux cave reveals both similarities and differences. Altamira, located in northern Spain, and Lascaux, located in southwestern France, are both famous sites featuring prehistoric cave paintings.
Similarities between the two include the use of animal figures as the main subject matter. Both caves showcase vivid depictions of various animals, such as horses, bison, deer, and mammoths. The artists of both caves employed similar techniques, using natural pigments and painting directly on the cave walls.
However, there are also notable differences. The style of the art and the animals depicted differ between the caves. Altamira paintings display more naturalistic and lifelike representations, while Lascaux's artworks tend to be more stylized. Additionally, Altamira contains more handprints and abstract symbols, while Lascaux features more complex compositions and scenes.
3. One of the notable paintings at the Altamira cave is known as "The Great Bison." It depicts a bison in profile, captured in a powerful and dynamic pose. Scholars have learned that this painting is approximately 15,000 years old and was created during the Upper Paleolithic period. The use of shading and perspective in the painting suggests a high level of artistic skill.
The significance of "The Great Bison" lies in its detailed and realistic portrayal of the animal. It highlights the ancient artists' ability to observe and capture the essence of the bison's physical attributes. This painting also reveals insights into the ancient people's relationship with the animals they depicted, possibly reflecting their reliance on hunting or a spiritual connection with the natural world.
4. The Great Hall of the Bulls is a section of the Lascaux cave that is particularly famous and memorable due to the large and impressive paintings it contains. It showcases several large animal figures, primarily bulls, which give the hall its name. The bulls depicted in this section are notable for their size, spanning up to 17 feet in length.
What makes this section remarkable is the level of sophistication displayed in the paintings. The artists used a variety of techniques to achieve depth, movement, and anatomical accuracy. The intricate details and the overlapping of animals in the composition create a sense of vitality and three-dimensionality. These characteristics contribute to the hall's fame and its reputation as a masterpiece of prehistoric art.
5. One of the aspects about the caves that surprises and interests many people is the exceptional preservation of these ancient artworks. Despite their age, many cave paintings remain vivid and well-preserved. This is due to the specific environmental conditions found within caves, such as stable temperatures, limited exposure to sunlight, and low humidity levels. These conditions have protected the paintings from erosion and deterioration over thousands of years, allowing us to appreciate their beauty and learn from them today.
Another intriguing aspect is the mystery surrounding the purpose of these artworks. While we can make educated speculations based on archaeological evidence, the exact meaning and intentions behind the paintings are still debated among scholars. Decoding the symbolic language of these ancient peoples is an ongoing challenge, but it adds to the fascination and allure of these cave paintings.
6. Prehistoric art and contemporary art have both similarities and differences. One key difference lies in the purpose and context. Prehistoric art was primarily created for cultural, ritualistic, or survival-related reasons, while contemporary art encompasses a wide range of styles, techniques, and purposes, often defined by individual expression or social commentary.
In terms of similarities, both forms of art aim to convey meaning and evoke emotional responses in the viewer. They also rely on the artistic techniques and materials available during their respective time periods. Additionally, both prehistoric and contemporary art can reflect the cultural values, beliefs, and societal contexts in which they were created.
7. The Lascaux cave faced several conservation issues since the year 2000. The main concern was the growth of a black fungus called Fusarium solani, or "black mold," which threatened the preservation of the ancient paintings. The fungus thrives in warm and damp conditions, which resulted from visitors' presence and the introduction of artificial lighting, humidity, and body heat.
To prevent further damage, the cave was permanently closed to the public in 1963, and a replica cave, Lascaux II, was created nearby for visitors to experience the art without harming the original site. However, in 2000, it was discovered that the black mold had also infested the replica cave. Efforts were made to remove the fungus and improve the environmental conditions inside both the original and replica caves.
Conservation experts have employed various techniques, such as using biocides and implementing a sophisticated control system to maintain stable temperature and humidity levels. Ongoing monitoring and strict regulations have been established to preserve the fragile cave environment and protect these invaluable prehistoric artworks for future generations.