Module 6: Art in Early Civilizations

 Let’s Work On this

To check your understanding of the lesson, answer the following essay question:

1. What was the importance and significance of art during the prehistoric period?

Art has always played a vital part in our lives, and we believe that prehistoric peoples utilized art as a
means of communication. Prehistoric art provides us with a glimpse into the daily life of early humans. It
was the foundation and rhythm of their lives at the time. Archeological discoveries show that early
people gradually transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to one of permanent settlements, laying the way
for the formation of early civilizations. Paintings and sculptures depicting humans, animals, and their
natural settings were also created by early humans.

2. During the Egyptian civilization, in what ways were art and religion interconnected?

The concept in life after death influenced the development of art and architecture in Egypt
throughout its history. Religious festivals influenced architectural and artistic styles. Art reflected ritual
and religion because the forms of creative expression were a direct outcome of the necessities of ritual
activity. Egyptian civilization uses iconography and images of the human body to transmit religious
ideas, rituals, and values. The reciprocity between image creating and meaning making as creative
correspondence of humankind with divine is the underlying concept for the links between art and
religion. Within temples, tombs, and palaces, the pharaohs also commissioned hundreds of paintings
and sculptures. Many of these were directly connected to the gods, displaying necessary rituals,
offerings, or prayers. Others, however, depicted scenes from history or even daily life.

Let’s Make it Happen

Art Pieces Key elements and features

Tutankhamun’s mask is an ancient death mask
produced in the 18th century in ancient Egypt. It
was discovered by Howard Carter in 1925. This is
regarded as one of the most famous Egyptian
artworks and almost admired and well-known
works of art around the world. Tutankhamun,
often called “The Boy King”, was around 19 when
he died. His face is smooth and almost heart
shaped. He has a short, tapered, and delicate
chin, large almond eyes, and high cheekbones
with rounded cheeks. His lips are full and
Tutankhamun’s mask sensuous, but not too wide.
Khufu Statuette is an ancient Egyptian statue
which was founded by Sir Willian Matthew
Flinders Petrie in 1903. It was discovered in the
Temple of Khentyamentiu, Abydos in Upper
Egypt. It is a three-dimensional depiction of
 Khufu. The ivory figurine is about 7.5 cm high, 2.9
cm long and c. 2.6 cm wide and partially
damaged. Its outer surface was originally smooth
and polished to a sheen. The statuette depicts
Khufu with the Red crown (deshret) of Lower
Egypt.

Khufu Statuette
La Cueva de las Manos is a cave and complex of rock
art sites in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina,
163 km south of the town of Perito Moreno. It is
named for the hundreds of paintings of hands
stenciled, in multiple collages, on the rock walls.
7300 BCE. Patagonia region of Argentina. It
contains an exceptional assemblage of cave art,
with many painted rock shelters, including a cave,
with magnificent pictographies surrounded by an
outstanding landscape, with the river running
through a deep canyon, which were executed
Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands). between 9,300 and 1,300 years ago.