Paleolithic and Neolithic Art

The PSU Ancient Art History class is exceptional.  The professor is George Armantrout and, even though, there are four 2 1/2 hour classes each week,  he keeps us involved and excited and eager for more.

We've finished the Paleolithic period (between 30,000 BCE and 12,000 BCE.  We learned about cave art that has been found in France and Germany.  Yesterday we started learning about the Neolithic Era (10,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE).  We're learning that the "hunters and gatherers" are now able to settle in one area due to the melting of glaciers and warming of the earth.  During this time, people can grow grains, grasses, nuts, etc. and they don't have to depend solely on eating meat.  Art changes, becoming more detailed and larger in size because people no longer have to carry their carvings and figures as they move to find food.

Pictured here is a small carving that has been named "Venus of Willendorf", found in Austria.  She has been dated to about 25,000 BCE.  She is one of many figures of voluptuous females that have been named Stone Age "Venus Figures".

The PSU Art Building is just a short two block walk and I've already met some fascinating young people who are either art majors or interested in anthropology.