Art in Early

Civilization
Stone Age is a term used to describe a period of history when
stones were used to make tools for survival. The term "conjures an
image of men and women dressed in skins, huddling before a fire in
a cave (Fitchner-Rathus, 2013). Though prehistoric humans would
not necessarily possess the complex rational capabilities to tell their
story through written records and accounts, some artifacts in the
form of cave paintings and sculptures would serve as the
"storytellers".
In order to talk about prehistoric art, there is a need to situate them
within the context of three periods the Stone Age Culture,
Paleolithic, Mesolithic and the Neolithic.
The unearthing of archeological artifacts and remains provides
modern society a glimpse of the beliefs, practices, and activities of
early civilizations. The motives and reasons behind the creation of
ancient materials such as sculptures, paintings and architectural
structures may not be clearly defined. Nevertheless, the early people
produced such materials that reflects their attitudes and beliefs
systems on spiritual, social, political and economic matters.
 Prehistoric Art
Archeological explorations reveal that there
has been a gradual shift from a nomadic
lifestyle of early humans to that of permanent
settlements, paving the way for the rise of early
civilizations. The Stone Age has witnessed how
humans were able to lead more stable lives and
eventually come up with permanent shelters
and tools for survival. To complement the
stability and sense of permanence, early
humans also turned to the creation of paintings
and sculptures that depict human, animals and
their
natural habitats.
Paleolithic Art is a product of climate
change. As the climate got colder, part
of the early human's instinct is to look
for shelters that would provide them
with warmth. Caves became protective
havens for the early humans and these
caves paved the way for the birth of
their first attempt to create art. One cave
painting can be traced back to Lascaux,
France and its discovery came as a
surprise. The cave paintings would be
eventually called the "Hall of Bulls".
Hall of Bulls
 The figures depicted on the walls were done with a certain level of crispness and life
that there were initial hesitations of the work's authenticity. However, evidence later on
pointed out that the cave paintings were created during the Paleolithic Period. It is also
important to take note that the paintings evoke naturalism which is evidently seen
through the contours of the animal's body and their dark colors.
Some of the early humans already used their own version of spray-painting
techniques by using ground pigments blown through reeds or hollowed-out bones since
these were the readily available materials for them. These techniques created the
illusion of three-dimensional forms and seemingly real representations of animals.
Artworks can be considered ornamental but there is little evidence to fully back up
this notion, that early humans created these cave paintings for that very purpose.
Most of the works were discovered inside the deep recesses of caves , some would
say that these caves with painting all over the walls and ceilings served as a kind
of sanctuary for the early humans, as a safe haven, religious rituals could have
possibly transpired within the confines of the caves.
 One of the works that reflected such beliefs would be a sculpture called the “Venus
of Willendorf”. This figure is a highly abstracted woman from highlighted body
parts associated with fertility. Figure 2 shows that the woman has oversized breasts ,
enlarged hips and round abdomen. The representation may show the importance of
taking care of these body parts for procreation and consequently the survival of
species.
Venus of Willendorf
 Neolithic art has developed especially when life for the early humans has become
more stable. They have learned to cultivate the land and domesticate animals. By
4000 BCE, there were several monumental and architectural structures erected. One
of them is the “Stonehenge” located in Southern England. The purpose of this
fascinating edifice remains a mystery up to this day and age. Some regard it as a
temple while others see it as complex calendar that tracked the movements of both
the Sun and Moon.
Stonehenge
 As the Neolithic Period drew to a close , it was
evident that different elements of civilizations
flourished in various parts of the world. It is also
notable that most early civilizations emerged and
flourished in river valleys, the Nile in Egypt, Indus in
India, Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia and Huang
Ho river in China.
 Egyptian Art
The Fertile Ribbon starts from the banks of the Nile River, which flows north to
Africa and ventures into the Mediterranean. It is in this very ribbon where early
Egyptians recognized the integral role of the Nile River to their daily lives. It is this
indispensability and utility that eventually led to the belief that Nile is to be
worshipped as a God.
The Egyptian civilizations can be divided into three periods: Old,
Middle and New Kingdom. Looking at these periods, it can be noticed
That for the Egyptians , art should be something religious and
Spiritual.
 During the Old Kingdom, it was evident that religion was bound to the
afterlife. A concrete manifestation of this would have to be the erection of
tombs. But the tombs were not just for keeping the dead bodies of
important people, particularly the pharaohs, they also served as a shelter for
the next journey which is the afterlife.
They decorated the tombs with everyday objects that would reflect day-to-
day activities as if the afterlife is a mere continuation of what transpired on
earth. The human figures seen in the tombs were represented in such a way
that the profile of the head was evident, while the pelvis, legs and upper torso
were prominent and the eyes are in the frontal view.
 One of the cosmic palettes found in Egypt was called the “Narmer Palette”. It was
a palette that utilized and applied dark colors around King Narmer’s eyes. The
palette was also a symbol that commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower
Egypt. The unification was significant because it marked the beginning of their
civilization. At the back of the palette, King Narmer can be seen wearing the crown
of Upper Egypt looking victorious over a slain enemy.
Narmer Palette
 In addition, two more dead warriors can be seen beneath him. To his right is a
falcon, the God Horus perched on papyrus stalks, which is a symbol of Lower Egypt.
The top is sculpted with bull-shaped heads with human features that is a representation
of a Hathor. This God symbolizes love and joy. What is very important is the
King’s size in comparison with the objects in the palette. Narmer, being the subject is
evidently larger than the people around him. This is a clear indication and assertion
of his royal status.
The Narmer Palette is one of the artifacts that emphasizes the King’s supreme and
absolute authority. In most cases, the King is not just an authority figure but can be
depicted and revered as a deity. This common notion among Egyptians is seen in
Egyptian tomb sculptures , which are basically large in dimensions and proportions
and made out of hard materials.
 During the Old Kingdom, one of the architectural wonders was also
constructed. The Pyramids in Giza served as tombs since their main purpose was
to provide a resting place for the pharaohs. These pyramids are massive in size and
were constructed using roughly more that two million limestone blocks. The stones
used for the pyramids were quarried from a nearby plateau. The construction of
the pyramids highlighted the ingenuity and advancement of the Egyptians for
their time. Workers painstakingly moved the stones from the plateau going to the
construction site using the wooden rollers.
The Egyptians also ensured that the insides of the pyramids would celebrate
the life of their pharaoh by lavishly decorating them. However, it posed as a
problem since thieves usually plundered the valuable objects used to decorate
inside the pyramids.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
 One of the key features of the Middle Kingdom is a shift in the political hierarchy
. There is an emergence of powerful groups of landlord s that threatened the
authority and rule of the pharaoh. Because of the internal struggle between these
two influential sides, art has taken a back seat during the Middle Kingdom . In
order for art to reemerge and flourish , Egypt needed to have a more stable
situation. This happened during the rule of King Mentuhotep when Egypt
eventually got back on track.
Art during the Middle Kingdom had some references from the Old Kingdom,
however there were some experimentation in terms of style that transpired during
this period. Portrait sculptures and fresco paintings that were freely drawn are
some of the styles that emerged during this period. To solve the problem of
thieves that plunder the tombs , the Egyptians made rock-cut tombs by carving
out a living rock. The insides of the tombs were still filled with chamber and the
hallways were lavishly decorated to celebrate the life o f the deceased.
 Egypt was not immune from foreign invaders and
eventually fell into the hands of Hyksos. This Asiatic Tribe
introduced Bronze Age weapons and horses to the
Egyptians. When these foreign invaders were overthrown,
the Egyptians formed the New Kingdom. It was a time of
expansionism through territorial acquisition .
Consequently , with the expansion came an increase in
wealth leading not only to economic but also political
stability.
 The art of the New Kingdom had references from both of the preceding
kingdoms. Monuments and sculptures were still linked with death and reverence
for the deceased . During the previous kingdoms, tombs were just used for
worshipping the dead but with the New Kingdom, they started having mortuary
temples. These temples, which were carved out living rocks, served not only a
sanctuary for the dead but also a place of worship for the living. Egypt in this
period has established itself as a more advanced and powerful civilization. With
this newly found strength and power comes an inflated ego. Their high regard for
their people can be seen through their sculptures built on massive and
monumental scales.
After the New Kindom, Egypt witnessed the Amarna Revolution led by King
Akhenaton and Queen Nefertiti. During his reign, King Amenhotep wanted to
revolutionize the arts and religion. He later on changed his name to Akhenaton,
which came from Aton who is the sun god.
 Egypt became monotheistic and Akhenaton ordered all to tear down all the
monuments of other gods. He then fervently ordered the creation and erection of
new monuments in reverence to Aton. Most sculptures during this period has
curving lines and full-bodied forms. There is emphasis to life-like features of the
face like an elongate jaw and thick-lidded eyes. Naturalism was not only used to
depict the pharaoh but also was used for members of the royal family.

The bust of Queen

Nefertiti has a
long and sensuous
neck. This figure
was enhanced by
applying paint to
the limestone.
Queen Nefertiti
 Probably one of the greatest discoveries from the Egyptian civilization was
the tomb of Tutankhamen. He became king at a very young age and died at the
age of eighteen. Howard Carter discovered his tomb in 1922 . They were
astonished to find gold artworks and that the coffin was made out of solid gold.
King Tutankhamen