Abstract
This paper examines how prehistoric cave art is considered to be man's original form of art, although its date of origin is still unknown. It looks at how, with examples, the art displays the effects of the cultures and surroundings that created them. It discusses how the cave art found in Europe and Africa depicts the prehistoric conception of animals, humans, symbols and weapons and how there are many differences and commonalities between the art found in both areas.

From the Paper
"The cave paintings in Linton are considered to be only 11,000 years old, as opposed to Apollo 11. The cave shelter located in Linton on the Eastern Cape of Africa contains a painting of that illustrates the experiences of healers or shaman, calling on supernatural powers. Human figures are clearly defined. The shaman has hooves, as if taking on the shape of an animal in order to connect to the spiritual world. White dots are used to represent spiritual power. Strange features are also assigned to other animals and humans present during the trance in the painting, using white dashes. Animals in the painting appear to have mismatched body parts, such as a snake with an antelope head."

Tags:europe, africa, culture, symbols, weapons

Abstract
This paper looks at the relatively recent discovery of cave art and how many experts were, at first, skeptical of its authenticity. The paper describes some of the art found and how it was accidentally discovered, as well as how it finally came to be recognized as authentic Paleolithic art.

From the Paper
"Despite being the most ancient of all human artistic forms, cave art was discovered only within the last one hundred years or so, usually by accident and by amateurs. In 1879, near Santander in northern Spain, Marcelino de Sautuola was exploring with his little daughter the Altamira caves on his estate. Since the ceiling of the debris-filled cavern "was only a few inches above Marcelino's head, it was his daughter who was first able to discern the shadowy forms of painted beasts on the cave roof" (Berenquer, 25). De Sautuola was the first modern man to explore this cave and he was certain that the paintings dated back to prehistoric times. Archeologists, however, were highly dubious of their authenticity, but in 1880 the Altamira paintings were officially dismissed as forgeries. In 1896, at Pair-non-Pair in the Gironde district of France, more paintings were discovered that were partially covered by calcareous deposits that would have taken thousands of years to accumulate and soon after, these paintings were recognized as authentic by the experts. The caves at Lascaux near Montignac in France were discovered accidentally in 1941 by two young boys who were playing in a field. Their dog chased a ball down a hole and disappeared, and the boys then followed the dog down into the caves."

Tags:drawings, prehistoric, paintings, subterranean, chambers, caverns, hunter-artist

Abstract
This paper examines how, from the earliest of times, humankind has used words and symbols to display needs desires and necessities to both the gods and other humans and how, the prehistoric sketches of Paleolithic man and the current scrawls of modern man, while on the surface seem to be absolutely different, are inherently the same. In particular, it compares two works, a red and black bison on the ceiling at Altamira, Spain from 30,000 to 10,000 BC, and a terrier and tic-tac-toe board from the side of a building, New York City, late 1980s AD.

From the Paper
"The composition of the painting, or lack thereof seems to be rather significant in prehistoric art. The lack of connection to the horizon, or anywhere else, denotes some type of religious meaning. Whether this entails simply a celebratory incantation for the fact that the animal lives to provide us with more food, or allows the magic in a shamanic spell to become more powerful against the animals, one has no knowledge. But the art of the caves does not appear to be simple art for art's sake. Christensen says, "It has been suggested that painting may have served as teaching material in which the spoken word, music, dance and masks were involved." (343) The time of Paleolithic man was wild and uncertain, but one could say the same about the current times."

Tags:prehistoric, paleolithic, man, modern, altamira

Abstract
Discusses images of women in Paleolithic society. How depictions of women in prehistoric art can determine the traditions and lifestyles of their society. Features of the images found in caves and grottoes and figurines. Women as symbols of fertility, as matriarchs who ruled over their domestic environment. Specific examples.

From the Paper
"I. Introduction

Since the early discoveries of prehistoric art in the mid-19th century, scholars and archaeologists have sought to determine the functions and the significance of art in Paleolithic society. The uncovering of artistic images in caves and grottoes, along with figurines of various shapes and sizes, provides clues to the lives, culture, language and myths of prehistoric people. The emergence of the aesthetic perception of the prehistoric people from a strictly utilitarian lifestyle also offers evidence of how the human brain has developed over the centuries.
In this paper, the depictions of women in prehistoric art will be used to determine the traditions and lifestyles of prehistoric people in ..."

Abstract
This paper provides a discussion of the various theories about the purpose of cave paintings by nomadic tribes proposed by Judith Thurman's article "First Impressions: What Does The World's Oldest Art Say About Us?"

From the Paper
"In Judith Thurman's "First Impressions: What Does The World's Oldest Art Say About Us?" the author proposes a number of theories regarding the function of cave paintings. From the free wheeling expressions of youth culture to elaborate creation myths, Thurman maintains the tens of millennia old cave paintings served a variety of functions and expresses a culture that invented everything. While there is no evidence of domestic activity in the depths of the ancient caves, there is evidence that people of both sexes and all ages regularly visited..."

Tags:religion, values, stability, refuge, teaching, generational transmission, art, entertainment, youth expression

Abstract
The paper discusses how religion and art have been linked since before history was recorded, as can be seen in various artifacts from prehistoric populations and as continued through every civilization that has developed since. The paper asserts that people in the West should be familiar with this fact from the many artworks associated with Christianity and Christian stories, and it should come as no surprise that religion and art are just as fused in other religious traditions, such as Islam and Judaism. The paper shows how the art associated with each of these religions also reflects certain social, economic, and political realities surrounding their respective religious doctrines.

From the Paper
"Religion and art have been linked since before history was recorded, as can be seen in various artifacts from prehistoric populations and as continued through every civilization that has developed since. People in the West should be familiar with this fact from the many artworks associated with Christianity and Christian stories, and it should come as no surprise that religion and art are just as fused in other religious traditions, such as Islam and Judaism. The art associated with each of these religions also reflects certain social, economic, and political realities surrounding their respective religious doctrines. Artistic expression can be found in many forms as well, but for both, art is..."

Tags:islam, judaism, art

Abstract
The paper explores how basic elements of petroglyphic art are essential in the carvings used in the "Elephant" art exhibited by ancient North African tribes. The paper asserts that although the tribes that might have been responsible for this petroglyph are not identified due to its extreme remoteness in history, the premise of Mesolithic man is evident in how this animal is carved into the stone.

Tags:art, ancient, painting

Abstract
The paper posits that although our knowledge of the artistic traditions of ancient cultures diminishes with their historical distance, it is nonetheless possible to examine and analyze the artistic artifacts left behind by those cultures. The paper's analysis traverses thousands of years and spans many cultures from around the world, with the end result being a rough snapshot of the way in which art has influenced and been influenced over time. The paper shows how art is not a monolithic discipline, but rather a series of local and historical adaptations by people intent on exercising their own artistic drive with the tools available and through the culture into which they were born. The paper highlights how tracing the changes that have occurred reveals much about the artistic impulse and its manifestation in human societies.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this study is to examine the evolution of art from prehistoric times into the twentieth century. Though our knowledge of the artistic traditions of ancient cultures diminishes with their historical distance, it is nonetheless possible to examine and analyze the artistic artifacts left behind by those cultures. This kind of analysis traverses thousands of years and spans many cultures from around the world. The end result is a rough snapshot of the way in which art has influenced and been influenced over time. It becomes evident that art is not a monolithic discipline, but rather a series of local and historical adaptations by..."

Tags:art, history, evolution

Abstract
This paper reviews Plato's "Allegory of the Cave," analyzing Plato's interpretation of what happens when the human soul meets the human body. The paper explains that Plato believes that every individual or soul that exists on Earth has innate knowledge that will serve as all the knowledge he or she will ever need; however, once this soul is coupled with its body, all the knowledge it was originally endowed with is forgotten. The paper adds that Plato makes the assertion that the mind never really acquires new knowledge; it recalls the soul's innate information through introspective thinking, but it distorts the innate knowledge by relying on sensory abilities to learn, or rather, remember the information. The paper concludes that the allegory of the cave simply refers to the idea that humans should not only depend on their sensory abilities to explore and understand the world around them.

From the Paper
" Although our current society naturally differs from the society Plato lived during, there are still tremendous similarities between the age-old allegory and today's world. Taking into account this allegory, the rulers of today's society should not only be intellectuals, but individuals who have a desire to aid others in their search for truth with the intention of strengthening the State. Perhaps people who fall into the categories of (but not limited to) teaching, social work, psychology, philosophy and religion would be virtuous candidates, rather than individuals who enter into politics with intentions to govern. Truthfully, I feel that Plato's allegory is a beautiful idea, but I don't think it would ever succeed. It is, in essence, an ideal, and ideals, in keeping with Plato's teachings, are abstract and intangible. Hence, such a society will never emerge."

Tags:allegory, cave, sensory

Abstract
In this paper, the three stages of the Cave Allegory and the Trial of Socrates help to define how knowledge and perceptions create the forms through the five senses. In many ways, Plato defines the error of the five senses and does not trust what they teach us about the truth.The paper further discusses how only reasoning and the human soul provide adequate tools to understand higher truths, which the Cave Allegory clearly defines.

From the Paper
" This philosophical analysis will examine the premise of the Cave Allegory and the three parts of the journey of human perception and knowledge that this symbolic analogy entails. Through the wisdom of the Cave Allegory the Trial of Socrates can also help identify the significant factors that surround the charges placed against him by the Athenian court. In this manner, the works of Plato and Socrates can help understand and analyze the foundations of classical Greek philosophy through the premise of perception, forms, and knowledge. The Apology by Plato is the trial that was created by the Athenian Council to incriminate Socrates for his belief systems. Socrates was charged with corrupting the youth of Athens with his ideas and application of the ideas in his dialogues."

Tags:socrates, trial, cave