Prehistoric Art. The Origin of Humanity Creativity
December 23, 2024. Text by manu da costa. Piece with artist magazine.
Prehistoric art is one of the most fascinating testimonies of early humans, and its study allows us to understand the first manifestations of creativity and the need for expression in humanity. The birth of art, dating back to periods before writing, is of fundamental importance in history as it represents the first attempts by humans to interpret and make sense of their environment. In this sense, prehistoric art not only reflects the beliefs and practices of early cultures, but also marks the beginning of a universal human impulse: the ability to represent reality and communicate ideas through images.
The birth of prehistoric art is situated in the Paleolithic period, about 40,000 years ago, although some of the earliest artistic manifestations may be even older. The first signs of art are found in cave paintings and small sculptures, known as “prehistoric venus figurines.” This art originated in a context of survival and ritual, as it is believed that many of these early artistic works were linked to magical or religious practices.
The cause of the birth of prehistoric art could be associated with the development of more complex cognitive abilities in Homo sapiens. The increased capacity for symbolism, abstract thinking, and visual communication allowed humans to express their ideas, beliefs, and experiences through graphic representations. The need to leave a visual testimony, either as an expression of religious worldview or to convey practical knowledge about the natural world, was likely one of the driving factors behind artistic creation in prehistory.
Over the thousands of years that prehistory lasted, art evolved, but it always maintained a deep connection to nature, hunting, and spiritual beliefs. Rock art, especially in the early stages of the Paleolithic, often focused on hunting scenes or animals, and is characterized by the use of natural colors derived from minerals such as iron oxide or charcoal. However, over time, human figures were also incorporated, especially in sculptures. The Venus of Willendorf, for example, are small statues representing the female form, suggesting a possible connection to fertility or motherhood.
In the Neolithic period, human societies began to settle in permanent settlements, which allowed the development of new forms of art, such as pottery, monumental sculpture, and megalithic architecture (e.g., Stonehenge). At this time, artistic representations began to acquire a more symbolic component, linked to the first organized religions and the creation of more complex social structures.
Today, numerous caves and sites around the world preserve prehistoric paintings and engravings. The most famous are those in Lascaux and Altamira, which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their exceptional preservation and historical significance. However, many of these paintings and sculptures are located in hard-to-reach areas, so replicas are often made for their conservation and to allow public access without damaging the originals. Other important sites include the Chauvet Caves in France, the paintings in the El Castillo Cave in Spain, and the petroglyphs of the Val Camonica region in Italy.
Prehistoric art plays a crucial role in the history of art as the first evidence of human capacity to express ideas through visual representations. Despite its age, prehistoric creations reflect a symbolic complexity and a concern for the spiritual that is not so different from modern art in terms of its communicative intent. In this sense, one can speak of a duality between prehistoric and contemporary art: both seek to represent reality, whether figuratively or abstractly, but each does so from very different contexts..
Contemporary art has evolved and diversified in forms and meanings, incorporating new technologies and media, but it keeps alive its connection to its prehistoric origins. In the contemporary era, art remains a way of exploring identity, emotions, and human thought, much like it did for our ancestors in prehistory, even though the techniques and materials have radically changed. In this way, prehistoric art not only connects us to the past, but also establishes a link to the deepest roots of human artistic expression.