Glossary
Archaeological Excavations
Systematic digging and recovery of artifacts and features from archaeological sites to understand past human activity.
Example:
During Archaeological Excavations at a Neolithic settlement, researchers carefully unearthed pottery shards and tools, providing clues about ancient farming practices.
Archaeology
The scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
Example:
Archaeology played a crucial role in uncovering the ancient city of Pompeii, revealing details about Roman daily life preserved under volcanic ash.
Art History
The academic discipline dedicated to the study of art objects in their historical and stylistic contexts, interpreting their meaning and significance.
Example:
Through Art History, we can trace the evolution of portraiture from ancient Egyptian pharaohs to Renaissance nobles and modern selfies.
Artistic Methods
The specific techniques, processes, and approaches employed by artists in the creation of their work, including how materials are prepared and applied.
Example:
The Artistic Methods of ancient Egyptian sculptors involved strict adherence to canonical proportions and the use of hard stone tools for carving.
Bluestones
The smaller, inner circle of stones at Stonehenge, distinguished by their bluish tint and originating from the Preseli Hills in Wales, over 150 miles away.
Example:
The incredible effort required to transport the Bluestones to Stonehenge from such a distant quarry highlights the profound significance the monument held for its builders.
Carbon-14 Dating
A radiometric dating method used to determine the age of organic materials up to about 50,000 years old by measuring the decay of carbon-14 isotopes.
Example:
Carbon-14 Dating helped confirm that the Chauvet Cave paintings are among the oldest known artworks, dating back over 30,000 years.
Ethnographic Analogy
A method used in archaeology and anthropology to interpret past cultures by drawing comparisons with contemporary or historically documented cultures that share similar environmental or technological conditions.
Example:
Using Ethnographic Analogy, scholars might study modern indigenous hunting rituals to better understand the potential purpose of animal depictions in prehistoric cave art.
Function (of art)
The purpose or role that an artwork served within its original cultural context, which can range from ritualistic to decorative or communicative.
Example:
The Function of a medieval altarpiece was not merely aesthetic but also to instruct the illiterate faithful and inspire devotion.
Great Hall of Bulls, Lascaux
A famous chamber within the Lascaux cave complex in France, renowned for its large-scale prehistoric paintings of animals, primarily bulls, horses, and deer.
Example:
The Great Hall of Bulls, Lascaux, is a testament to the sophisticated artistic abilities of Paleolithic humans, with its dynamic animal forms and use of natural cave contours.
Hunting Magic
A theory suggesting that prehistoric cave paintings of animals were created as a ritualistic practice to ensure successful hunts or to gain power over the depicted animals.
Example:
The theory of Hunting Magic posits that by painting a bison, ancient hunters believed they could influence the outcome of their next hunt, making the animal easier to catch.
Iconography
The study and interpretation of the subject matter, symbols, and themes within works of art, often revealing deeper cultural or religious meanings.
Example:
The Iconography of a Renaissance painting might include specific saints, biblical scenes, or symbolic objects like lilies representing purity.
Narrative (in art)
The depiction of a story or sequence of events within a work of art, often conveying a message or illustrating a myth, historical event, or daily life.
Example:
The Bayeux Tapestry is a powerful example of Narrative art, visually recounting the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England.
Pigments (charcoal, ochre)
Coloring materials used in art; charcoal is a black pigment derived from burnt wood, while ochre is an earthy pigment ranging from yellow to red, composed of iron oxides.
Example:
Prehistoric artists often ground Pigments like red ochre and black charcoal to create the vibrant colors seen in cave paintings.
Prehistoric Art
Art created before the invention of writing systems, offering insights into early human societies, beliefs, and daily life.
Example:
The cave paintings of Lascaux are prime examples of Prehistoric Art, showcasing early human creativity and symbolic thought.
Ritual Design
The intentional arrangement or creation of art and architecture for ceremonial or spiritual purposes, often reflecting specific beliefs or practices.
Example:
The precise alignment of ancient temples with celestial events demonstrates a sophisticated Ritual Design intended to connect earthly structures with divine order.
Shamanism
An ancient spiritual practice involving a shaman, a person believed to have access to and influence in the world of good and evil spirits, often entering trance states.
Example:
Some theories suggest that the trance-like figures and animal transformations in certain prehistoric rock art might be linked to Shamanism and spiritual journeys.
Stonehenge
A monumental prehistoric stone circle located in Wiltshire, England, believed to have served as an astronomical observatory, ritual site, or burial ground.
Example:
Stonehenge's precise alignment with the solstices suggests its builders possessed advanced knowledge of celestial movements and possibly used it as a calendar.
Technology (in art)
The tools, materials, and techniques used by artists to create artworks, reflecting the available innovations and skills of a given period.
Example:
The development of oil paint was a significant Technology that allowed Renaissance artists to achieve greater depth, luminosity, and detail in their works.