Cave Art

World of Art

by Bruno David

An archaeological exploration of the mysterious world of cave art through the ages Deep underground, some of humanity’s earliest artistic endeavors have lain untouched for millennia. The dark interiors of caves, wherever they may be found, seem to have had a powerful draw for ancient peoples, who littered the cave floors with objects they had made. Later, they adorned cave walls with sacred symbols and secret knowledge, from the very first abstract symbols and handprints to complex and vivid arrangements of animals and people. Often undisturbed for many tens of thousands of years, these were among the first visual symbols that humans shared with each other, though they were made so long ago that we have entirely forgotten their meaning. However, as archaeologist Bruno David reveals, caves decorated more recently may help us to unlock their secrets. David tells the story of this mysterious world of decorated caves, from the oldest known painting tools to the magnificent murals of the European Ice Age. Showcasing the most astounding discoveries made in more than 150 years of archaeological exploration, Cave Art explores the creative achievements of our remotest ancestors and what they tell us about the human past. 215 illustrations

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art, Art History, Archaeology, Prehistory

216 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

Bruno David est un naturaliste français spécialisé en paléontologie et en sciences de l’évolution et de la biodiversité. Depuis 2015, il est président du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN).

Il a été chercheur au CNRS et directeur de l’unité Biogéosciences à l’Université de Bourgogne. Paléontologue et biologiste marin, ses recherches l’ont conduit à explorer l’évolution de la biodiversité à partir de modèles actuels comme fossiles. Bruno David a participé à plusieurs grandes missions océanographiques, notamment dans l’Océan Austral, la mer des Caraïbes et dans le Pacifique avec le submersible Nautile.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author starts this account by explaining that the book will look at cave art as opposed to rock art, as a considerably larger book would be required to do justice to the latter. He estimates, for example, that Australia alone contains between 150,000-250,000 locations that feature rock art. He does stretch his definition of cave art to include what he terms “deep rock overhangs.”

One of the questions we ask of cave art is, to what extent was it meant to be seen? Being seen is normally the whole purpose of art, but cave art is often located in deep underground passages, that can only be accessed with difficulty, sometimes only by crawling. They are, of course, also located in total darkness. Various clues left at cave art sites provide circumstantial evidence that they were sacred sites, associated with ritual, and in that context we can speculate that much cave art was only meant for a select group of initiates. We can’t be sure though. We can speculate that prehistoric peoples viewed deep caves as portals to the underworld, but that’s all it is, speculation. As the author says: To properly know such things we would need access to the cosmology of the artists; we would need a deeper understanding of their world views than that which we can retrieve from the art today.

The book advises that there are relatively few places in the world where ancient peoples went deep into caves to make art in locations protected from the elements, and which have therefore been preserved today. It concentrates on the famous sites located in what are now France and Spain, although the author also includes sites in southern Africa, rock overhangs in northern Australia, and a site in present-day Guatemala, (the latter being much more recent than the others).

There are some good stories about how the art was discovered, perhaps the best being how Lascaux Cave was discovered by a group of teenage boys who saw a cleft in the ground exposed by a recently uprooted tree. Arming themselves with an oil lamp, they slid 15m downwards and found themselves in the amazing “Hall of Bulls” where the animals seemed to move in the flickering light of their lamp. Again, I couldn’t help feeling this might have been the original intention of the painters.

The book also looks at the science used to determine the age of the paintings.

All in all, I felt this was a decent summary of the subject for the layman. Also, some amazing photos, just as you would expect.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and made for the non-expert reader. A nice survey of cave art from all over the world.

[Robin Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Authoritative, gripping, and full of photos that capture your imagination. Who braved the dark depths of caves to paint tens of thousands of years ago, and why? By telling us what we know about cave art (and how we know it), Bruno David firmly connects us with our prehistoric past. I loved this book in so many ways.

[Milo Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent dive into cave art. David touches on not only the history of the discovery of each cave and the history of discussion surrounding the art within, but on how the age of the art was dated both upon discovery and as technology improved. Also, one of the few books on cave art that substantially includes art from ouside Western Europe in the conversation. This book also does a great job of comparing regions of cave art while including the scope of known Paleolithic Art as a whole. This book is approachable for amateur and working archeologists, and a very good way to get people excited and knowledgeable about this subject.

[B. Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice overview of several prominent cave art sites, as well what they might mean, how they were dated, and other facts. There's plenty of pictures as well, though I could always use more.

It approached cave art with cultural sensitivity and the last chapter was how cave art made today is important to various cultures around the globe.

All in all, I liked it. It was well-written, but still not the most entertaining read. I think I got what I wanted out of it.

[John Fredrickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the features of known cave art sites. The book describes the sites that have been discovered, and also goes into what we have been able to determine about who may have been responsible for the creation of the many paintings (as well as sculptures). Coverage of cave art from the Ice Ages is thorough, but the book's final sections also explore some more recent cave art in Australia as well.

Dating techniques of the cave paintings and drawings are discussed, along with the challenges involved with establishing dates that can be relied upon (e.g., perhaps some of the drawings are more recent than expected due to carbon dating, but were done with charcoals that were remnants of ancient fires).

While the potential meanings of the art is considered, this is something that is still highly speculative.

[Siri Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cave Art provides an introduction to palaeolithic art forms while also delving into interpretations, old as well as recent. I found the book highly enjoyable, though not markedly different from other books available on the topic. The writing is good and consistent, the information is presented ina credible and easily read format, and the book is richly illustrated, which contributes greatly to the joy of reading. Recommended for people with an interest in cave art, whether they be archaeologists or fascinated laypeople.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I expected a more general overview of cave art and with some aesthetic analysis, this book, focusing more on the archaeological aspects of how these works are authenticated, was still a lot of fun to read. I do wish the author had dedicated more time to the Americas and Africa, but for a cursory introduction into the evolution of cave art it is a pretty cool book.

[Peter T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from the too-detailed chapters on scientific analysis, this is a first class, readable overview and introduction to the deep and challenging issues surrounding cave art. The well selected images give enormous extra support.

Read a few years after "The mind in the cave", which it merges with, beautifully.

[Lorens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, easy to read, good overview about mostly European paleolithic cave art, lots of good pictures of the cave artworks.
Some unnexessary pc commentaries in connection eitj Aboriginal art.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is good, loads of information and all of it clearly explained

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent overview of the more well known pieces of cave art as well as aging techniques and theories as to why.

[Nano-Burrito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to the cave art. Beautifully illustrated. The last chapter was harder to read for me, but that’s probably just me. Easy 4,5 stars.

[Mills College Library]

709.011 D2492 2017