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Living in The Stone Age
Living in The Stone Age
Lithos = stone
Paleolithic Age Neolithic Age Greek paleo means Greek neo means old new Upper Paleolithic age Neolithic Revolution was 50 000 10 000 occurred between years ago 9000 4000 BCE
Painting at Lascaux Caves (south central France) found in 15 000 BCE Painters used irregularities in cave walls to add a 3-D effect to figures Paintings portray an awe and reverence towards animals which shows that for the first time people were expressing religious beliefs (rituals related to hunting magic; sacrifices of animals)
Venus of Willendorf
Small sculptures such as the Venus of Willendorf were common to the Paleolithic Age Sculpture features exaggerated curves (large breasts and wide hips) on female figure Venus figurines are symbolic of the importance of fertility of a mother goddess
STONEHENGE
Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain in England Created 2800-1500 BCE Stonehenge is an example of a Neolithic megalith (megalith = Greek for big stones) Exact purpose is unknown: religious rituals, agricultural markers or astronomical observatories?
Mystery of Stonehenge
Stonehenge was built in 3 major stages over 1300 years (tribal people, Beaker people, Battle Axe folk people Megaliths stones approx. 45 t and Heel Stone is 31 t Great debate over the positioning of the stones stones reflect an understanding of astronomy and mathematics (positions reflect sunrise, eclipses of sun and moon stones could be a religious ritual to sun or moon gods Others believe stones were built to show changing seasons for agriculture