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The Story of Prehistoric Art: Humanity’s First Expressions

  • Writer: Debbie Brown
    Debbie Brown
  • Oct 22
  • 3 min read

The First Findings


Prehistoric art refers to the earliest visual expressions created by humans before the development of written language. The first discoveries of such art came in the 19th century when archaeologists uncovered cave paintings in Europe. In 1879, the Altamira Cave in Spain revealed paintings of bison, deer, and horses that dated back over 14,000 years (Pike et al., 2012). Initially dismissed as forgeries, these images were later authenticated and became some of the most iconic examples of Paleolithic art. Other sites, such as the Lascaux Caves in France (discovered in 1940), pushed the origins of art even further back in time, with some paintings estimated to be more than 17,000 years old (Clottes, 2008).

Bison (c. 15,000-12,000 BC) – Cave Paintings, Altamira, Spain
Bison (c. 15,000-12,000 BC) – Cave Paintings, Altamira, Spain

Horse (c. 15,000-10,000 BC) – Cave Paintings, Lascaux Cave
Horse (c. 15,000-10,000 BC) – Cave Paintings, Lascaux Cave


What Prehistoric Art Tells Us


These early works of art provide us with a window into the minds of ancient people. Far from being mere decorations, cave paintings, carvings, and figurines likely carried symbolic and cultural significance. The famous “Venus figurines,” small carvings of women with exaggerated features dating back 25,000–30,000 years, suggest an emphasis on fertility, survival, and perhaps spirituality (White, 2003).


Cave paintings often depict animals such as mammoths, horses, and bison, highlighting the importance of these creatures to survival. Some scholars believe these images may have been part of hunting rituals or shamanistic practices intended to ensure successful hunts (Lewis-Williams, 2002). Others interpret them as early storytelling—a way for prehistoric people to pass knowledge and tradition from generation to generation.

Venus of Willendorf, est. 25,000-30,000 years old, found in Austria
Venus of Willendorf, est. 25,000-30,000 years old, found in Austria

Global Examples of Prehistoric Art


  • Africa – Blombos Cave (South Africa): Discovered in the 1990s, Blombos Cave contains engraved ochre pieces and shell beads dating back around 75,000 years (Henshilwood et al., 2002).

    Blombos Ochre Block, one of humanity's oldest carved objects
    Blombos Ochre Block, one of humanity's oldest carved objects

  • Australia – Aboriginal Rock Art: Indigenous Australians created some of the longest continuous art traditions in the world. Rock paintings and engravings found in Kakadu National Park date back at least 20,000 years, depicting animals, human figures, and spiritual beings known as Mimi spirits (Taçon, 2019).

    The kangaroo painting, shown alongside an illustration giving a clear view of the lines drawn by the artist, is Australia's oldest known rock art. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine.
    The kangaroo painting, shown alongside an illustration giving a clear view of the lines drawn by the artist, is Australia's oldest known rock art. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine.

  • Asia – Sulawesi Cave Art (Indonesia): In 2014, scientists discovered hand stencils and animal paintings in Sulawesi caves dating back more than 40,000 years (Aubert et al., 2014).

    At an estimated 45,000 years old, this Babirusa painting in Sulawesi is the oldest known cave drawing. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Magazine
    At an estimated 45,000 years old, this Babirusa painting in Sulawesi is the oldest known cave drawing. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Magazine

How These Works Are Found


Archaeologists discover prehistoric art through careful excavation and exploration of caves, cliffs, and ancient living sites. Many artworks are found deep inside caves, preserved by the stable climate and lack of exposure to light or weather. Modern technology has enhanced these discoveries: radiocarbon dating, uranium-series dating, and 3D laser scanning allow scientists to analyze paintings and carvings without damaging them (Pike et al., 2012).


Lidar cave mapping in Romania
Lidar cave mapping in Romania

The Lasting Impact


Prehistoric art reveals that even tens of thousands of years ago, humans had the capacity for imagination, creativity, and symbolism. It demonstrates that art was not a luxury but a central part of human experience, used to connect with nature, community, and possibly the divine. These works remind us that long before written history, people were telling their stories through images that still speak to us today.



References


Aubert, M., Brumm, A., Ramli, M., Sutikna, T., Saptomo, E. W., Hakim, B., … & Dosseto, A. (2014). Pleistocene cave art from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Nature, 514(7521), 223–227. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13422


Clottes, J. (2008). Cave art. Phaidon Press.


Henshilwood, C. S., d’Errico, F., Yates, R., Jacobs, Z., Tribolo, C., Duller, G. A., … & Sealy, J. C. (2002). Emergence of modern human behavior: Middle Stone Age engravings from South Africa. Science, 295(5558), 1278–1280. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1067575


Lewis-Williams, D. (2002). The mind in the cave: Consciousness and the origins of art. Thames & Hudson.


Pike, A. W. G., Hoffmann, D. L., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Alcolea, J., De Balbín, R., … & Zilhão, J. (2012). U-series dating of Paleolithic art in 11 caves in Spain. Science, 336(6087), 1409–1413. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1219957


Taçon, P. S. C. (2019). Rock art research in Australia: Themes and directions. Australian Archaeology, 85(1), 24–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2019.1601119


White, R. (2003). Prehistoric art: The symbolic journey of humankind. Journal of Archaeological Research, 11(2), 113–163. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022973119951

 
 
 

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