Glossary
Agriculture
The practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising livestock, which led to stable food sources and the rise of settled communities.
Example:
The development of Agriculture allowed Neolithic societies to sustain larger populations and invest in monumental projects like Stonehenge.
Anthropomorphic
Attributing human characteristics or forms to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or deities.
Example:
The Anthropomorphic Stele clearly depicts a human-like figure, demonstrating the early artistic representation of Anthropomorphic forms.
Ceramic Figurines
Small sculptures made from clay that has been fired, often depicting human or animal forms, used for various purposes including ritual or decoration.
Example:
The Tlatilco Female Figurines, with their distinctive two-headed forms, are notable examples of early Ceramic Figurines.
Domestication
The process of taming animals and cultivating plants for human use, a key development in the Neolithic period.
Example:
The shift from hunting wild animals to their Domestication profoundly impacted human societies, leading to more stable food supplies.
Fertile Crescent
A crescent-shaped region in the Middle East, known as the 'Cradle of Civilization' due to its early development of agriculture and settled societies.
Example:
Early innovations in farming and urban living emerged from the Fertile Crescent, influencing subsequent human development.
Figurative Art
Art that represents recognizable objects, especially the human or animal form.
Example:
The animal depictions on the Apollo 11 Stones are early examples of Figurative Art, showing recognizable creatures.
Greywacke
A type of sandstone characterized by its dark color and hard, gritty texture, often used for carving durable objects.
Example:
The Ambum Stone was meticulously carved from Greywacke, a challenging material that speaks to the sculptor's skill.
Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle
A way of life where people obtain food by foraging for plants and hunting wild animals, necessitating a nomadic existence.
Example:
The small, portable nature of the Apollo 11 Stones reflects the Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle of its creators, who were constantly on the move.
Ibex Motifs
Decorative patterns or designs featuring the ibex, a wild goat, often stylized, found in ancient art.
Example:
The Bushel with Ibex Motifs prominently features stylized Ibex Motifs, which may have held symbolic meaning for its creators.
Incised Terra-cotta
Terra-cotta pottery decorated with patterns or designs created by cutting or scratching into the surface before firing.
Example:
The Terra-Cotta Fragment from the Reef Islands displays intricate geometric patterns created through Incised Terra-cotta techniques.
Jade
A hard, typically green, ornamental stone, highly valued in many ancient cultures for its beauty and durability, often used for ritual objects.
Example:
The Jade Cong from Liangzhu culture exemplifies the intricate carving and cultural significance of Jade in ancient China.
Lapita People
An ancient seafaring people who were the ancestors of modern Polynesians, Micronesians, and some Melanesians, known for their distinctive pottery.
Example:
The Terra-Cotta Fragment is a key artifact of the Lapita People, showcasing their unique artistic and seafaring traditions.
Megalithic Structure
A large structure or monument made of big stones, typically from the Neolithic period, often serving astronomical or ceremonial functions.
Example:
Stonehenge is the most famous Megalithic Structure, demonstrating the impressive engineering capabilities of Neolithic people.
Neolithic
The 'New Stone Age' period, marked by the development of agriculture, settled communities, and more complex, often monumental, art and architecture.
Example:
Stonehenge, with its massive stone circles, is a quintessential Neolithic structure, reflecting advanced engineering and communal effort.
Nomadic Lifestyle
A way of life characterized by frequent movement from place to place, typically in search of food, water, or pasture.
Example:
The ease with which the Camelid Sacrum in the Shape of a Canine could be carried suggests its creation by a society with a Nomadic Lifestyle.
Paleolithic
The 'Old Stone Age' period, characterized by nomadic hunter-gatherer societies and the creation of portable art and cave paintings.
Example:
The Great Hall of Bulls in Lascaux Caves is a prime example of art from the Paleolithic period, showcasing early human artistic skill.
Ritualistic Purpose
The function of an artwork or object as part of a ceremony, religious practice, or symbolic rite.
Example:
The Ambum Stone, with its unique form and material, is believed to have served a Ritualistic Purpose in ancient Papua New Guinean practices.
Settled Life
A societal shift where people establish permanent residences and communities, often due to the advent of agriculture.
Example:
The construction of large, stationary structures like Stonehenge indicates the transition to a Settled Life during the Neolithic era.
Shamanism
A belief system where a shaman acts as an intermediary between the human and spirit worlds, often for healing or guidance.
Example:
The Running Horned Woman from Tassili n'Ajjer is often interpreted as a depiction of a figure engaged in Shamanism, connecting with spiritual realms.
Specialization of Labor
The process by which individuals in a society focus on specific tasks or crafts, leading to increased efficiency and the development of more complex goods.
Example:
The intricate carving of the Jade Cong suggests a society where Specialization of Labor allowed artisans to dedicate time to mastering complex techniques.
Stele
An upright stone slab or pillar, often carved or inscribed, used as a monument, grave marker, or commemorative tablet.
Example:
The Anthropomorphic Stele from the Arabian Peninsula serves as an early example of a carved Stele, possibly marking a grave or sacred space.
Terra-cotta
A type of earthenware, a clay-based unglazed or glazed ceramic, typically reddish-brown in color, used for pottery and sculpture.
Example:
The Bushel with Ibex Motifs is a beautifully decorated example of Terra-cotta pottery, showcasing early ceramic artistry.