Art of Prehistoric Europe

Summary

In this episode of *Rick Steves' Europe*, Rick explores the fascinating world of prehistoric Europe, diving into the art, culture, and monuments of early human societies. From the intricate cave paintings in France, which date back over 18,000 years, to the massive megalithic structures like Stonehenge, the episode highlights Europe's earliest artistic and architectural achievements. Rick also uncovers burial mounds, mysterious fertility figurines, and the preserved remains of bog people, showcasing how prehistoric Europeans not only survived but thrived, leaving behind profound artistic and spiritual legacies that continue to awe us today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prehistoric Europe is rich in art and culture, with early humans creating sophisticated art like cave paintings and massive stone structures.
• 😀 The cave paintings in southern France, such as those in Lascaux, are over 18,000 years old, showing remarkable realism and intricate designs.
• 😀 The paintings likely had symbolic or ritualistic purposes, with no direct depictions of hunters, suggesting a complex belief system.
• 😀 Stonehenge and other megalithic structures were built using advanced methods of transportation and alignment, possibly for celestial purposes.
• 😀 These stone circles, like Stonehenge, acted as ancient calendars, marking key solar events like solstices and equinoxes.
• 😀 Large burial mounds and passage tombs, such as those in Ireland, were aligned with the sun, reflecting a belief in the afterlife and the power of celestial events.
• 😀 The prehistoric people of Europe were not just surviving, but actively creating art and monuments that connected them to spiritual beliefs and the cosmos.
• 😀 Fertility symbols, like the Venus figurines, were widespread and likely served as talismans for ensuring fertility and good harvests.
• 😀 Prehistoric people across Europe, from Malta to Scandinavia, invested significant resources into building monumental structures that symbolized both life and death.
• 😀 The remains of 'bog people' preserved in peat bogs offer a glimpse into the lives of early Europeans, including their art, weapons, and burial practices.
• 😀 Despite their limited technology, prehistoric people produced highly decorative and functional objects, reflecting their creativity and appreciation for beauty.

Q & A

What was the purpose of prehistoric European cave paintings?

The prehistoric European cave paintings, such as those found in the caves of southern France, were likely not just decorative but served deeper cultural and spiritual purposes. These sophisticated artworks, featuring realistic depictions of animals, may have been linked to rituals, hunting magic, or spiritual beliefs, reflecting the connection these early humans had with their environment and the animals they depended on.

How were the massive stones at Stonehenge transported during the Stone Age?

The stones at Stonehenge were likely quarried, carved, and transported using simple yet effective methods. They may have been moved by rolling them on logs or floated down rivers on rafts. Some of the stones, especially the larger ones, came from as far as Wales, 200 miles away, demonstrating the significant effort involved in constructing such megalithic structures.

Why were megalithic stone circles constructed in prehistoric Europe?

Megalithic stone circles were likely constructed for religious, ceremonial, and astronomical purposes. For instance, Stonehenge and other similar sites were aligned with celestial events such as the solstices, functioning as astronomical calendars that helped prehistoric societies track the passage of time, plan agricultural activities, and perhaps even worship celestial deities.

What is the significance of the Venus figurines found across Europe?

The Venus figurines, which are small statues of women, were likely fertility symbols. Emphasizing attributes such as exaggerated breasts and hips, these figurines may have been used in rituals to ensure fertility, good harvests, or successful childbirth, reflecting early humans' reverence for life-giving forces.

How did prehistoric Europeans view death and the afterlife?

Prehistoric Europeans seemed to have a deep concern for the afterlife, as evidenced by their elaborate burial practices. Tombs and burial mounds were constructed with great care, often aligned with celestial events such as solstices, to ensure a proper transition to the afterlife. These rituals suggest that they believed in life after death and sought to honor the dead through these sacred practices.

What role did the bog people play in understanding prehistoric European societies?

The bog people, whose preserved bodies, weapons, and artifacts have been found in peat bogs, offer unique insights into prehistoric European societies. These well-preserved remains allow archaeologists to study the physical appearance, clothing, and tools of ancient peoples, as well as the ritualistic practices such as sacrifices, which were likely tied to their religious beliefs.

What were the technological advancements of the Neolithic Age in Europe?

The Neolithic Age marked a shift from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities. This period saw the development of more advanced stone tools, pottery, and the domestication of animals. People began constructing permanent dwellings, such as megalithic tombs and stone circles, and made significant strides in agricultural techniques and social organization.

How did prehistoric Europeans use art in their daily lives?

Art in prehistoric Europe was not just for aesthetic purposes but was integral to daily life and rituals. Objects like jewelry, finely crafted tools, and ritualistic items were often decorated with intricate designs. Art also played a key role in religious and cultural practices, reflecting the deep connection these societies had with nature, spirituality, and their understanding of life and death.

What was the significance of the passage tombs in Ireland and their alignment with the sun?

The passage tombs in Ireland, such as those found in Newgrange, were intricately designed to align with the sun during specific times of the year, particularly the equinoxes. On these days, sunlight would shine directly into the central chambers of the tombs, symbolizing the connection between the living and the dead. This alignment suggests that these tombs had both astronomical and ritualistic significance.

How did early European societies balance survival with artistic expression?

Early European societies, despite the challenges of survival, managed to dedicate time and resources to artistic expression. Whether through cave paintings, megalithic structures, or ornamental objects, art played a central role in these societies. It was often tied to religious rituals, social cohesion, and a deeper understanding of their environment and the cosmos, showing that even in primitive times, art was an essential part of life.