We invite you to know in the following article a little more about the neolithic art; its origins, history and characteristics. It was one of the most important prehistoric periods that extends from the year 7000 to the year 2000 BC.
neolithic art
What do you think of when you hear about art? Most likely in those impressive works that were part of the Italian Renaissance or even in some of the most emblematic and influential paintings of the XNUMXth century, however, art is much more than that.
Before starting to talk about Neolithic art, it is important to pause briefly on the definition of this term. Art is nothing more than a way of expression that has been present throughout the history of mankind, even since its origins. It could be said that it was in prehistory where these types of manifestations began to be found.
In our article today we want to talk to you a little about the history and characteristics of Neolithic art and Neolithic painting, one of the expressions that stands out the most within the set of prehistoric art, due, among other things, to the fact that it represented the first artistic revolution itself. same.
Below we explain in a clear and summarized way what the Neolithic is and what its most important characteristics are. Likewise, we show you what the typical art and architecture of this time was like.
What is the Neolithic?
It is known as Neolithic to a period that was in force during the last stage of the Stone Age, also known as the final stage of cultural evolution. This was a time period recorded after the Mesolithic period and before the Bronze Age.
The Neolithic period was from 6.000 BC to 3.000 BC and, together with the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, make up the so-called Stone Age. It is well known by many that prehistory is divided into two great periods: on the one hand the Paleolithic and on the other the Neolithic.
What is the difference between both periods of prehistory? It could be said that one of the most notable differences between one and the other is that, during the Paleolithic, the human being was nomadic, that is, they obtained their food from hunting and gathering, while in the Neolithic stage, they become sedentary.
This caused the development of the first settlements and the first cities, as well as agriculture. There are those who affirm that the Neolithic arose more than ten thousand years ago approximately, although the date may vary depending on the place.
It is important to note that during this period of prehistory, known as the Neolithic, one of the things that predominated the most was the use of modeled and polished stone tools. It was also a time where the development of agriculture and livestock, pottery, the arts, the domestication of certain animals and the consolidation of sedentary life stood out.
Neolithic Characteristics
The date of birth of the period known as the Neolithic continues to be the subject of debate today. Most agree that it was around 10.000 BC when it began to be in force, specifically after people learned to carry out activities related to cultivation, raising domestic livestock and collecting plants and fruits.
It was thanks to certain activities in the countryside, such as the cultivation of wheat, rice and corn, that human beings had the opportunity to experience a sedentary lifestyle. According to archaeological evidence, it could be ensured that the transformation from food-gathering cultures to producers occurred progressively.
The transition occurred in different periods, for example in the Middle East it happened around 9.000 BC, in Southeastern Europe it was around 7.000 BC, while in East Asia around 6.000 BC.
What is very clear is that the transition represented a stage of change and transformation. This is how the Neolithic period was introduced, a time that was mainly characterized by cultural change; a change that happened gradually and not suddenly. Said cultural change is divided into three distinct stages, according to the level of sophistication achieved in agriculture, architecture and ceramics:
- Initial Neolithic: It is estimated between the year 6.000 BC to 3.500 BC
- Middle Neolithic: It is the most fruitful and developed between 3.000 BC and 2.800 BC
- Final Neolithic: It is the shortest, from 2.800 BC to 2.300 BC with the beginning of the Metal Age.
Just as the Neolithic period had its own characteristics, so did Neolithic art. Depending on the particular culture that originates it, they adopt different forms, such as pottery made in the form of a basket, pumpkin, bell or leather bags.
The most outstanding Neolithic monuments are the dolmens, tombs formed by extensive stone blocks that form the burial chamber. If we talk about painting, we could say that the most characteristic of this expression were the schematic forms, and the symbolic nature of the themes stands out.
neolithic art
Neolithic art is considered one of the most interesting in all of history. This type of expression is characterized above all by the paintings, in which the images of the human body without details on the face, with somewhat primitive reflections and monochromatic tones, attract attention.
Despite the years that have passed, today it is possible to find some evidence of this type of image. Most of them are located in an important archaeological site located in the current region of Jordan.
Neolithic art was also characterized by the dominance of ceramics and over the years much evidence has been found regarding this type of artistic expression. Among the finds made, a wide range of objects and figures linked to fertility stands out, in Tell-Halaf, in northern Syria, and in Tell-al-Ubaid, on the coast of the Persian Gulf.
It is worth noting that most of these objects and figures belonging to Neolithic art were decorated with geometric designs made with brown or black paint, almost always.
From
It began linked to the semi-nomadic life of the shepherds and ended with the discovery of bronze that gave way to the era of the same name. One of the most influential expressions that formed part of Neolithic art was pottery; Other outstanding manifestations were the statues to which they worshiped as mother goddesses and megalithic stone monuments dedicated to religious worship.
Over the years, important finds related to Neolithic art have been located, for example pottery remains. Most of these finds have been made in virtually every region occupied by Neolithic peoples, from the Near East through Africa and from the Mediterranean to Europe and the British Isles.
Most of these pottery remains consist of flat figures, with simple decoration (triangles, spirals, wavy lines, and other geometric motifs) on smooth or undulating surfaces.
Neolithic painting: continuation versus rupture
For a long time there has been talk about the possibility that the Neolithic peoples have mixed with the ancient nomads who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula. This type of hypothesis arises based, mainly, on the fact that the newcomers continued with the artistic work of the first.
«It was after the arrival of the Neolithic peoples, when cave painting became abstract. However, it continued to develop in the same places where we find the examples of Paleolithic painting and, what is more important, respecting the ancient paintings».
This leaves us with a palpable reality and that was that the new Neolithic peoples had not the slightest intention of destroying the artistic work left by the previous nomadic peoples. That speaks to us of a continuation in art and a fusion between both cultures.
It could then be ensured that the fusion process between both human groups, that is, Neolithic peoples and nomadic peoples, took place in a peaceful and, to a certain extent, natural way. Certainly the arrival of the new towns would represent a stage of revolution and shaking, especially as far as the form of artistic expression is concerned, it seems that the motivations and moments in which it would be carried out will continue to be the same.
Where can Neolithic painting be found?
As has been explained throughout this interesting article, the Neolithic peoples arrived in the Iberian Peninsula from the east, coming from the Mediterranean Sea. It has been commented on the existence of more than 750 deposits distributed by Catalonia, Valencia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia.
Depending on the case, it is possible to find expressions of both the figurative painting typical of the Palaeolithic and the abstract painting of the Neolithic era and, in many cases, these are sites with the presence of both manifestations in the same space.
neolithic architecture
Not only was art part of the period known as the Neolithic, but architecture also played an important role. During this stage there were notable advances in architecture. One of the greatest examples that we can name is the case of the Gobekli Tepe temple, located in the southeast of Turkey.
Its influence is such that today it is described as the oldest and most important place of worship of all those built by human beings. It was characterized by its pillars decorated with reliefs of animals, such as wild boars, snakes and huge cats, which they considered protectors of the temple.
Another of the most representative works within Neolithic architecture is the architectural complex of the Dolmens of Antequera, which form the monuments of Menga, Viera and Romeral, of which remains are preserved and are described as a World Heritage Site. They are impressive stone blocks that form chambers and roofed spaces. It is believed that they were places destined for rituals.
The use of polished stone
Stone is one of those materials that has always been present in the history of mankind, even prior to the periods that preceded the Neolithic. During those periods, the use of stone was vital, especially as part of war weapons. However, during the Neolithic stage, new techniques were added to work the stone.
One of the most famous and important techniques was the polishing technique, instead of just carving it or splitting it with blows. The mastery of stone work made it possible to greatly improve tools and weapons, such as the arrowhead or the spear for hunting.
This has been demonstrated by the recent discoveries of archaeological remains where human skeletons with embedded arrowheads have been found. The various techniques applied to the use of stone functioned as a mechanism of influence, also, to perfect ceramics (to preserve food), pottery (for harvesting fruits) and the manufacture of fabrics (with needles made of bone).
End of the Neolithic
It was almost at the end of the Neolithic period when new techniques related to art began to emerge, especially the work on some metals, such is the case of copper. It could be said that it was this that marked the transition to the Bronze Age (union of copper and tin resulting in greater hardness and better casting properties).
Let us remember that bronze had been used until then for the construction of weapons, something that could not be done with copper. The knowledge developed in metallurgy is what made the Neolithic period and the Stone Age obsolete.
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