Question

1. Define Paleolithic

2. Define Neolithic

3. Define Megalithic

4. Compare Paleolithic and Neolithic Art?

5. Compare Paleolithic and Neolithic “architecture”:

6. What was the significance of the cave in Paleolithic times?

7. What was the Venus figure statue used for?

8. What was the purpose of Stonehenge?

9. In your opinion, why did prehistoric people begin creating art?

Answer 1

1. Paleolithic is the second part of Stone age beginning about 750,000 to 500,000 B.C that lasted until the last ice age about 8,500 years B.C. This age is marked by the use of crude chipped stone tools by human beings.

2. Neolithic is the age characterized as last phase of the stone age which is thought to have begun 9000-8000 years B.C. This age is characterized by the use of polished stone tools, domestication of animals, beginning of agriculture and use of pottery by the human beings.

3. Megalithic is a period between 5000 and 2000 B.C when people used huge stones megaliths for prehistoric architectures or monuments. This happened particularly in Western Europe.

4. Paleolithic art: The Paleolithic art is thought to be ritualistic. The people dwelled in caves and they depicted their way of life on the walls of caves that are known as cave paintings, animals occupied predominance in these paintings. They detailed their cave paintings with minutes details. The sculptures of period were crude as they were made with flint rocks, bones and horns.

Neolithic art: Neolithic art is known to be a part of their ritual to honor their diety. Man began using plastered wall for paintings, humans occupied the dominance and hunting scenes with less detailed forms of animals were painted. Neolithic people had developed skills in pottery and they made baked clay status. Megalithic structures were constructed in this age.