Visual & Performing Arts · 6th Grade · Art History and Global Perspectives · Weeks 19-27

Prehistoric Art and Cave Paintings

Examining the art of early humans, focusing on cave paintings and their possible purposes and meanings.

• Common Core State Standards
• NCAS: Connecting VA.Cn11.1.6
• NCAS: Responding VA.Re7.2.6

About This Topic

Ancient Origins and Symbols takes students back to the very beginning of human creativity. By examining cave paintings, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Mayan carvings, students learn how early civilizations used art to communicate with the divine, record history, and ensure survival. This topic aligns with NCAS standards for connecting art to history and culture, focusing on the symbolic power of visual imagery.

Students investigate how the environment dictated the materials, from ochre and charcoal in caves to lapis lazuli in Mesopotamia. They learn that for ancient people, art was rarely 'just for decoration'; it was a functional tool for ritual and social order. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of ancient symbolic systems by creating their own 'visual language' to communicate a modern story.

Key Questions

1. Why did early humans create art in places that were difficult to access, like deep caves?
2. Analyze the symbolic meanings behind common motifs in prehistoric cave art.
3. Hypothesize the daily lives and beliefs of early humans based on their artistic creations.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the environmental and social contexts that may have influenced the creation of prehistoric cave paintings.
• Compare common motifs and imagery found in cave paintings from different prehistoric sites.
• Explain potential purposes of cave paintings, such as ritualistic, communicative, or narrative functions.
• Hypothesize about the daily lives and belief systems of early humans based on evidence from cave art.

Before You Start

Introduction to Art Materials and Techniques

Why: Students need a basic understanding of how art materials are made and used to appreciate the ingenuity of early humans in creating pigments and applying them.

Early Human Migration and Development

Why: Knowledge of early human lifestyles and migration patterns provides essential context for understanding the environments in which cave paintings were created.

Key Vocabulary

Paleolithic	The early period of human history, characterized by the development of stone tools and the emergence of early art forms like cave paintings.
Anthropology	The study of human societies and cultures and their development, which helps us understand the context of prehistoric art.
Motif	A recurring subject, theme, or symbol in a work of art, such as animals or handprints in cave paintings.
Pigment	A substance used as coloring, typically in the form of a powder that is mixed with a binder, such as ochre or charcoal used in cave art.
Symbology	The study or use of symbols, which is crucial for interpreting the potential meanings behind prehistoric art.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Ancient art looks 'simple' because they weren't good at drawing.

What to Teach Instead

Ancient artists were highly skilled, but they often chose 'stylized' or symbolic looks over realism to convey specific religious or social meanings. Peer discussion comparing a realistic photo to a symbolic icon helps students see that 'meaning' is often more important than 'accuracy.'

Common Misconception

All cave paintings are just about hunting animals.

What to Teach Instead

While animals are common, cave art also includes handprints, abstract dots, and geometric patterns that suggest complex rituals or early calendars. Hands-on 'symbol making' helps students realize that early art was a way of thinking, not just a way of recording.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Cave Art Mystery

Tape large pieces of brown paper under the students' desks. Using only 'earth tones' (crayons/pastels), students must lie on their backs and draw a 'hunting scene' by flashlight to experience the physical difficulty and atmosphere of cave painting.

40 min·Individual

Simulation Game: The Symbol Exchange

In small groups, students create five symbols that represent 'modern' concepts (e.g., Wi-Fi, school, friendship). They swap symbols with another group and try to 'read' a message written in the other group's new symbolic language.

30 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Artifact Analysis

Display photos of artifacts like a Greek vase, an Egyptian scarab, and a Benin bronze. Students move in pairs to identify one 'clue' in each object that tells us about the daily life or beliefs of that culture.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Archaeologists use advanced imaging techniques, similar to those used in medical scans, to study faint details in cave paintings at sites like Lascaux in France without damaging the original artwork.
• Museum curators in institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History preserve and display artifacts, including casts of prehistoric tools and images, to educate the public about early human history and creativity.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with images of different prehistoric cave paintings. Ask them to identify at least two common motifs and write one sentence explaining a possible meaning for each, referencing the location of the painting (e.g., deep cave, rock shelter).

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If you were an early human living during the Paleolithic era, what story would you want to tell with your art, and why?' Facilitate a class discussion where students share their ideas and justify their choices based on what they've learned about early human life.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down two things they learned about the purpose of cave paintings and one question they still have about prehistoric art. Collect these to gauge understanding and inform future lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did ancient people paint in caves?

Archaeologists believe caves were sacred spaces used for rituals. The paintings might have been a way to ask for a successful hunt, tell stories of the tribe, or connect with a spirit world. The deep, dark locations suggest these were not meant for 'public' viewing.

What is a 'symbol' in art?

A symbol is an image that stands for an idea. For example, in ancient Egypt, a lotus flower symbolized rebirth. Symbols allow artists to communicate complex religious or political messages quickly and clearly.

How can active learning help students understand ancient art?

Active learning strategies like the 'Cave Art Mystery' remove the distance between the student and the past. By physically experiencing the constraints of the ancient artist, low light, awkward positions, limited colors, students gain a visceral respect for the ingenuity of early humans. This hands-on approach transforms 'old pictures' into 'human solutions' to the problem of communication.

How did ancient artists make their paint?

They used natural pigments found in the earth, like minerals, clay, and charcoal. They would grind these into a powder and mix them with 'binders' like water, animal fat, or vegetable oils to make the paint stick to the surface.