Is There an Art History of Prehistory?

Art|Art History

Prehistory is an era that dates back to before written records. As such, there is no way to document the history of this era in the same way that we can document more recent eras.

But does this mean that there is no art history of prehistory? The answer is not as simple as a yes or no, but it’s worth exploring what evidence of prehistoric art exists and how it can be used to piece together a picture of prehistory.

It’s important to note that when talking about prehistory, we are discussing the period before written records began. This means that any evidence of art from this period would need to be found in other ways, such as through archaeological excavations or rock carvings. Thankfully, archaeologists have been able to find a wide variety of art from prehistoric times, ranging from paintings on cave walls to sculptures and pottery.

This evidence has allowed us to piece together some aspects of prehistory and get an idea of what life may have been like during this time. For example, we can get an idea of how people lived by looking at their artwork and artifacts.

We can also learn about their beliefs and religious practices by studying their artwork. It’s even possible to gain insight into their language by looking at the symbols they used in their artwork.

However, despite all these discoveries, it can still be difficult to create a comprehensive art history for prehistory due to a lack of evidence and information. This means that while we can learn some things about prehistory through its art, it may never be possible to truly understand how people lived during this time or what they believed in without more evidence or information coming to light.

In conclusion, while it may not be possible to create an exhaustive art history for prehistory due to a lack of evidence and information, there is still much that we can learn about this era by looking at the artwork and artifacts left behind by our ancestors. By studying these items closely, we can gain insights into how people lived during this time and what they believed in.