During the prehistoric period, our early ancestors, often considered nomads, engaged in

various activities such as primitive art, using stone flakes to produce fire for protection,
hunting wild animals for food, and using animal skins for clothing. Cro-Magnons, a specific
group of early modern humans, created carvings on wood and rocks, as well as painted caves,
possibly to intimidate wild animals and protect their families and communities. Art was a
significant part of their culture, as seen in the early cave paintings that depicted their hunting
routines and possibly magic and fertility rituals, like those found in Europe and Southeast
Asia. For example, in Southeast Asia, cave paintings dating back 43,900 years were
discovered in Maros-Pangkep, Sulawesi, Indonesia, indicating the early presence of art in
human societies.

During the Mesolithic Age, advancements in tool-making included sharpening tools through
stone flaking and grinding, and the utilization of axes. Additionally, fishing techniques
improved with the use of nets and hooks. Domestication of dogs for various purposes also
emerged. Notable artworks from this period include Aurignacian-Gravettian sculptures and
cave paintings such as the Moravian Cave Painting of a bison in the Altamira Spain Museum,
and the Cave Painting of Drawn Animals in Lacaux Cave, Montignac, France.

Transitioning into the Neolithic Age, nomadic lifestyles ceased as people settled permanently,
focusing on agriculture. They cultivated crops like barley, wheat, millet, fruits, and
vegetables, while expanding animal domestication to include goats, horses, and sheep for
milk, cheese, and meat. Pottery-making advanced to create containers for water and food
storage. Stone tools were further developed with polishing and the addition of handles to
enhance comfort during hunting expeditions.

Aurignacian-Gravettian Sculpture Cave Painting of a bison

Cave Painting of Drawn Animals