prehistoric art and mesopotamian art
TRANSCRIPT
Art in the caves
• Art in Altamira Spain– Discovered in 1879– Around 18,000 years old– Art were once considered as forgeries for
they were too good for that time
Lascaux Cave (France)
Discovered in 1940 by 4 local boys and robot
More than 2000 animal figures
Most famous for The Hall of the Bulls
Chauvet cave
Discovered 1994
Images date up to 31,000 years ago
Notable for the images of stencilled hands
Art outside of the caves
The mask of la roche cotard
From the Loire River, France
33,000 years old
Venus of Willendorf
Found in Austria
30,000 years old
Venus of Berekhat Ram
Golan Heights, Israel
1.4 inches long
230,000 years old
Venus of Tan-Tan
Morocco
6cm in height
Found in the Draa River
Venus of Hohle Fels
Also called the venus of Schelkingen6cm in heightFound in Germany40,000 years oldMade from mammoth tusk
Stonehenge Builders' Village Found
DurringtonWalls andits position in relation to Stonehenge.
The people who excavated the immense stones and the smaller bluestones and then arranged them into a circular monument, came and went many centuries ago, without leaving any explanation.
A theory suggested that those are healing stones that came from Africa.
Stonehenge Secrets
American astronomer Gerald Hawkins used a computer to do a much more elaborate and exacting study of Stonehenge's astronomical alignments. In his analysis, he found 165 points on the structure associated with movements of the Sun and Moon (but not any stars or visible planets). He proposed that Stonehenge was in itself a sort of ancient computer, designed to predict lunar eclipses.
Stonehenge Theories
The site appears to have been intended as a cemetery from the very start, around 5,000 years ago—centuries before the giant sandstone blocks were erected—the new study says.New analysis of ancient human remains show that people were buried at the southern England site from about 3000 B.C. until after the first large stones were raised around 2500 B.C.
"This is really exciting, because it shows that Stonehenge, from its beginning to its zenith, is being used as a place to physically put the remains of the dead," said Mike Parker Pearson of England's University of Sheffield.
Stonehenge Theories
October 2009 33Stonehenge Mystery - Riquette Mory
Previous excavations indicate that Stonehenge was linked via the River Avon and two avenues to a matching timber monument at nearby Durrington Walls. The paired circles—Stonehenge and the wooden circle at Durrington —represented the realms of the living and the dead, according to Parker Pearson.
Stonehenge Theories
The theory is that the majority of the dead were deposited in the river upstream at Durrington Walls, and only "a select few“ were buried at Stonehenge itself, he said. The site was excavated in 2006 as part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project. The Stonehenge Riverside Project's other finds in 2007 included further insights into a large seasonal village at Durrington Walls, where the builders of Stonehenge likely lived. "All the little details of daily life were preserved in the floor. Several houses were also uncovered along the avenue to the river, which may have been used by spectators during religious processions,” he said.
The ancients near eastThe ancients near east
• learned how to use the wheel, plow, control floods, learned how to use the wheel, plow, control floods, construct irrigation canals, etc.construct irrigation canals, etc.
• Region gave birth to 3 of world’s modern faiths: Region gave birth to 3 of world’s modern faiths: Judaism, Christianity and IslamJudaism, Christianity and Islam
• Invention of Writing: oldest written documents are Invention of Writing: oldest written documents are from Mesopotamia (administrative acts and from Mesopotamia (administrative acts and commercial transactions).commercial transactions).
• 3400-3200 BCE: Sumerians used pictographs 3400-3200 BCE: Sumerians used pictographs (pictures stand for words)(pictures stand for words)
• 3000-2900 BCE: Sumerians developed cuneiform 3000-2900 BCE: Sumerians developed cuneiform (complex grammatical constructions/ The Epic of (complex grammatical constructions/ The Epic of Gilgamesh)Gilgamesh)
• 19th century excavations: Leonard Woolley 19th century excavations: Leonard Woolley discovered in 1920’s Royal Cemetery at Ur- made discovered in 1920’s Royal Cemetery at Ur- made public aware of Mesopotamian artpublic aware of Mesopotamian art
The Gods of Mesopotamia: IThe Gods of Mesopotamia: I• AnuAnu: The father of the gods; god of : The father of the gods; god of
heaven (above left)heaven (above left)• Adad:Adad: the rain god, and of storms the rain god, and of storms• Dumuzi (Tanmuz):Dumuzi (Tanmuz): God of God of
vegetation and the Underword; vegetation and the Underword; Husband of Ishtar, Husband of Ishtar,
• Ishtar (Innana):Ishtar (Innana): Goddess of love, Goddess of love, fertility, and war; Queen of Heaven; fertility, and war; Queen of Heaven; Nemesis of Gilgamesh (lower left)Nemesis of Gilgamesh (lower left)
The Gods of Mesopotamia IIThe Gods of Mesopotamia II• Apsu: God of the primeval sweet watersApsu: God of the primeval sweet waters• Ea: God of wisdom and patron of the artsEa: God of wisdom and patron of the arts• Enlil: God of earth, wind, and air (aka Marduk in Enlil: God of earth, wind, and air (aka Marduk in
later cultures)later cultures)• Ninhursag: Mother goddess, creator of Ninhursag: Mother goddess, creator of
vegetation; wife of Enlilvegetation; wife of Enlil• Nisaba: Goddess of grainNisaba: Goddess of grain• Skanash: God of the sun, judge, and law giver; Skanash: God of the sun, judge, and law giver;
god of wisdomgod of wisdom• Sin: Goddess of the moonSin: Goddess of the moon
Lapis lazuliLapis lazuli
cuneiformcuneiform
Bottom Right: Warka Vase/ Narrative Art-Relief Sculpture – used pictures to tell stories (religious festival) /Composition arranged in Registers or Friezes/Composite View of figures (combo of frontal and profile views)/No overlapping/ Rendered Conceptual Approach/Hierarchy of Scale
Female head (Inanna?), from Uruk, Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE, marble, 8” high
•Flat back, drilled holes for attachment to wooden head and body, once had colored shells or stones in eyebrow and eye area, wig of gold leaf, etc.
SUMERIAN ART
Female head (possibly Inanna)
from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.marbleapproximately 8 in. highGoddess of Love & War
Wore big, bitumen eyebrows, inlaid eyes with shells and lapiz lazuli
RECOVERED
Warka Vase
from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.alabasterapproximately 3 ft. high
Most important relief sculpture…reliefs showing InannaTiered REGISTERS WITH FIRM GROUND LINE
Warka Vase
from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.alabasterapproximately 3 ft. high
HIERARCHY OF SCALEOr heratic sclae
Sumerian Art: Statues of Worshippers from Tell AsmarSumerian Art: Statues of Worshippers from Tell AsmarCache of sculptures found buried beneath temple floor/range in size from under a foot to 30” tall/represent Cache of sculptures found buried beneath temple floor/range in size from under a foot to 30” tall/represent
mortals rather than deities/votive figures/hands folded as in prayer, some hold beakers used in religious rites/ mortals rather than deities/votive figures/hands folded as in prayer, some hold beakers used in religious rites/ simple forms (cones and cylinders)/ oversized eyes and tiny hands are disproportionate/open-eyed stare simple forms (cones and cylinders)/ oversized eyes and tiny hands are disproportionate/open-eyed stare
symbolizes the eternal wakefulness necessary to fulfill their dutysymbolizes the eternal wakefulness necessary to fulfill their duty
Statuettes of two worshippers, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (Tell Asmar), Iraq, ca. 2700 BCE, Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, male figure 2’6” high
Statuettes of worshippers
from Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar) Iraq
ca. 2,700 B.C.E.gypsum, shell, black limestonetallest 30 in. high
Also known as Votive Statues
Statuettes of worhippers
from Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar) Iraq
ca. 2,700 B.C.E.gypsum, shell, black limestonetallest 30 in. high
White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (Modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE
Home of Gilgamesh
Reconstruction DrawingReconstruction Drawing
Constructed of mud brick (no access to stone quarries)/white-washed walls/ temple stands on top of ziggurat (40 ft. above street level in center of city)/ bent-axis approach to entrance of temple, not linear entry like the Egyptians/oriented to cardinal points of the compass/ dedicated to Anu (god of sky, 61X16 ft.)/ Cella (central hall)- for divinity and stepped altar , referred to as “waiting rooms” where deities would descend & appear before the priests
SUMERIANS believed gods reside above the world of humans= elevated structures toward sky
Ubaid Era (5300-4100 BC)Ubaid Era (5300-4100 BC)
• Spread of irrigation canals Spread of irrigation canals • Construction of temple complexes Construction of temple complexes • A monochrome pottery designA monochrome pottery design• Triangles, grids, zigzag lines were common Triangles, grids, zigzag lines were common • Ceramics made on slow-turning potterCeramics made on slow-turning potter’’s wheels wheel• For lack of workable stone and metals, tools For lack of workable stone and metals, tools
were made of fired claywere made of fired clay
Eridu (5000-3100 BC)Eridu (5000-3100 BC)
• Most of the early structures at Eridu were residentialMost of the early structures at Eridu were residential• Later, public and ritual centers were erectedLater, public and ritual centers were erected• At its peak, population was 5000At its peak, population was 5000• In one site, a series of shrines were constructed, one In one site, a series of shrines were constructed, one
over another over another • Earliest, dated 5000 BC, was a simple shrineEarliest, dated 5000 BC, was a simple shrine• By 3000 AD, a ziggurat was constructed in the form By 3000 AD, a ziggurat was constructed in the form
of a 200 yard square enclosureof a 200 yard square enclosure• Unidentified God statuette at EriduUnidentified God statuette at Eridu
Re creation of the ziggurat of EriduRe creation of the ziggurat of Eridu
Uruk Period (4100-3100 BC)Uruk Period (4100-3100 BC)
• The first city, Uruk with a population of 10,000 The first city, Uruk with a population of 10,000 • Overshadowed by the Anu Ziggurat and later the Overshadowed by the Anu Ziggurat and later the
White TempleWhite Temple• Named after the principal god AnuNamed after the principal god Anu• Like Eridu, constructed over earlier shrinesLike Eridu, constructed over earlier shrines• The White Temple was constructed over the Anu The White Temple was constructed over the Anu
ZigguratZiggurat• Both temples entailed massive manpower inputsBoth temples entailed massive manpower inputs——
7500 man-years alone7500 man-years alone• Structures separated priestly residents from the Structures separated priestly residents from the
populacepopulace• Walls were constructed in Early Dynastic Period Walls were constructed in Early Dynastic Period
(3100-2370 BC)(3100-2370 BC)
Uruk and Vicinity: Technology and Uruk and Vicinity: Technology and TradeTrade
• PotteryPottery• Fine design of Ubaid gave way to crudely Fine design of Ubaid gave way to crudely
made utilitarian objects made utilitarian objects • Plow was invented with a metal tipped Plow was invented with a metal tipped
wooden bladewooden blade• Far more productive than the digging stickFar more productive than the digging stick• Agricultural base diversifiedAgricultural base diversified• Wheat, barley, flax, datesWheat, barley, flax, dates• Cattle raising and fishingCattle raising and fishing
UrUr
• Site of the Site of the ““Royal CemeteryRoyal Cemetery”” uncovered by uncovered by Sir Leonard Woolley, English archaeologistSir Leonard Woolley, English archaeologist
• Site contained chariots, headdresses, lyres, Site contained chariots, headdresses, lyres, jewelryjewelry
• Classic example: lyres with bearded bull Classic example: lyres with bearded bull • The blue is constructed from lapis lazuli The blue is constructed from lapis lazuli
crystalscrystals• Lower graphic is a typical Sumerian theme: Lower graphic is a typical Sumerian theme:
animals with human facesanimals with human faces• This comes from the front panel of a lyreThis comes from the front panel of a lyre
Historical narrative/ below shows two sides (war and peace)/ registers/ composite view of figures= frontal eye and body with profile head and feet/ hierarchy of scale/ uncertain of purpose
Right: Actual 3-D shape of Standard of Ur, from Royal Cemetery at Ur, Iraq
Below: Detail from peace side of the Standard of Ur
The excavator, Leonard Woolley, thought it was originally mounted on a pole like a military standard. Art historians are uncertain of its purpose.
Standard of Ur
from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery Ur
(modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.wood, shell, lapis lazuli, red limestoneapproximately 8 x 19 in.
War
Peace
Registers
Found in Sumer
HIERARCHY OF SCALEBigger = better
Standard of Ur (war side)
from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.wood, shell, lapis lazuli, red limestoneapproximately 8 x 19 in.
Standard of Ur (peace side)
from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.wood, shell, lapis lazuli, red limestoneapproximately 8 x 19 in.
Bull-headed lyre
from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery Ur
(modern Tell Muqayyar)
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.wood, gold leaf, lapis lazuliapproximately 65 in. highSound box. Found in sumer.
Evidence of Extreme Stratification: Evidence of Extreme Stratification: BurialsBurials
• Sir Leonard Woolley unearthed 2500 burials Sir Leonard Woolley unearthed 2500 burials • Fewer than 20 were of royaltyFewer than 20 were of royalty• Queen Shub-ad was lying on a bed accompanied by female Queen Shub-ad was lying on a bed accompanied by female
attendantsattendants• 2 wagons drawn by oxen driven by male servants backed 2 wagons drawn by oxen driven by male servants backed
down into entry rampdown into entry ramp• 59 bodies, mostly female, were on the ground near the 59 bodies, mostly female, were on the ground near the
tombtomb• All retainers were lavishly bedecked with crafted elementsAll retainers were lavishly bedecked with crafted elements• Oxen dispatched, then all in the party consumed poisonOxen dispatched, then all in the party consumed poison• Lyre with bullLyre with bull’’s head was associated with the Good Queens head was associated with the Good Queen
Akkadian Art
AkkadAkkad
• First of the empires that First of the empires that consolidated city statesconsolidated city states’’
• Sargon I led the expansion (Upper Sargon I led the expansion (Upper left)left)
• Detail from Victory stelae from Susa Detail from Victory stelae from Susa • Irony: a stela intended to celebrate Irony: a stela intended to celebrate
Akkadian victory actually Akkadian victory actually documented their defeat documented their defeat
Gudea?
Statue of Sumerian Prince
Peaceful pose, holds fountain.
Plan of temple, Ensi not King.
Piety, simplicity, simple dress.
LagashLagash
• Lagash, ruled by Gudea, Lagash, ruled by Gudea, succeeded Akkadsucceeded Akkad
• Gudea drew a temple plan from a Gudea drew a temple plan from a vision of the gods (upper)vision of the gods (upper)
• Lower: Gudea with temple plan on Lower: Gudea with temple plan on his laphis lap
• Represents a model of the Represents a model of the inspiration of heaven on earth inspiration of heaven on earth through Gudea as a channelthrough Gudea as a channel
Head of an Akkadian ruler
from Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca. 2,250-2,200 B.C.E., copper14 3/8 in. highArrogant powerEarliest hollow cast metal sculpture
Victory stele of Naram-Sin
from Susa, Iran
ca. 2,254-2,218 B.C.E.sandstone79 in. high
Victory stele of Naram-Sin
from Susa, Iran
ca. 2,254-2,218 B.C.E.sandstone79 in. high
Kings were divinely chosen.
Horned crown = divinity
Victory over Iran. Soldiers not generic
Enemies die, plead
Ziggurat (restored)at Ur
Neo sumerian period
at Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,100 B.C.E.mud brick
Babylonian Art
Stele with code of Hammurabi
from Susa, Iran
ca. 1,780 B.C.E.basalt88 in. high
Hammurabi codified laws.. 1st known example
Laws & penalties, protections for widows & kids.
An eye for an Eye
No vigilantisms, but system of justice.
Seated sun God giving the rod of justice.
Basis for today’s laws!
Babylon: Code of HammurabiBabylon: Code of Hammurabi
• Hammurabi: The LawgiverHammurabi: The Lawgiver
• As commerce increased, civil law As commerce increased, civil law served to regulate transactionsserved to regulate transactions
• Criminal law was institutedCriminal law was instituted
• Lex talionisLex talionis——eye for an eyeeye for an eye——became one of the cornerstonesbecame one of the cornerstones
• Here, Hammurabi receives the Here, Hammurabi receives the law code from the sun godlaw code from the sun god
Babylon: Tower of Babel Babylon: Tower of Babel • Babylon was the site of Babylon was the site of
another ziggurat, the another ziggurat, the Tower of BabelTower of Babel
• Biblical interpretations: Biblical interpretations: humankindhumankind’’s intellectual s intellectual arrogancearrogance
• God imposed different God imposed different languages on the builderslanguages on the builders
• However, Babylon However, Babylon already had a diversity of already had a diversity of languages and cultureslanguages and cultures
• Why construction was Why construction was halted remains a mysteryhalted remains a mystery
Assyrian Art
•1st true empire..
•900 BCE conquered upper Mesopotamia
•Savage culture, militaristic
•Flayed their enemies alive
•Art: perspective, anatomy
•Commemorated victories & hunts
•Sargon = King of All
•Conquered Mesopotamia, ruled 5 generations
Reconstruction drawing
of the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq
ca. 720-705 B.C.E.
Lamassu (winged human headed bull)
from the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq
ca. 720-705 B.C.E.limestone13 ft. 10 in. highGuarded palace… relief AND in the round sculpture… 5 legs
Gilgamesh? Wrestling Lion
from the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin
ca. 720-705 B.C.E.limestone13 ft. 10 in. high
Ashurbanipal hunting lions
Last great Assyrian king.. Shows bravery in hunting lions. Dying lioness drags back legs, King hierarchy of scale.
from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca. 645-640 B.C.E.gypsumapproximately 5 ft. high
Ashurbanipal hunting lions
from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca. 645-640 B.C.E.gypsumapproximately 5 ft. high
Ashurbanipal hunting lions
from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca. 645-640 B.C.E.gypsumapproximately 5 ft. high
Neo-Babylonian Art
Ishtar Gate (restored)
from Babylon, Iraq
ca. 575 B.C.E.glazed brick
Ishtar Gate (restored)details of dragon (Marduk) and bull (Adad)
from Babylon, Iraq
ca. 575 B.C.E.glazed brick
Ishtar Gate (restored)details of lion (Ishtar)
from Babylon, Iraq
ca. 575 B.C.E.glazed brick