Paleolithic Art

After considering the evidence in the article, I would argue that Paleolithic art is not in anyway a representation of spirituality among early humans, but rather a way for them to create aesthetic social identities among one another.

First, it is important to examine why Paleolithic art does not seem to illustrate spirituality. If art was found outside a cave, it was commonly discovered amidst the remains of a campsite. As Guthrie suggests, “art was not made for and confined to a sacred site, and nothing suggests that these campsites (where art was excavated) were consecrated or sanctified.” Paleolithic art was crafted and developed in a social environment, which makes it seem more of a casual activity than a sacred right. Furthermore, Paleolithic art that was discovered in stereotypically sacred areas (such as caves) contained the same subject matter, namely “naked women and large mammals.” This suggests that the Paleolithic art found in caves was just an extension of social behavior in an alternative environment, rather than a separate spiritual ritual. Additionally, early humans in the Paleolithic period were driven by “wit, logic and wise decisions based on embedded empirical experience.” Paleolithic art, if used to represent religion, would be promoting something highly unempirical, and this would go against the characteristics of the early human in the Paleolithic period.

It is also important to develop an idea about the importance Paleolithic art played the culture of early human beings. Most images found in Paleolithic art consistently dealt with large mammals. Since “successful hunting of large mammals was the social currency for male status, marriage and health” it seems viable to claim Paleolithic art was used by men to convey their status in society. Men would carve images into their spears, which may have made them seem aesthetically pleasing and powerful. Many times, Paleolithic art was “not literal” and contained “selective exaggeration.” It seems as if early humans used art as a means to display or even embellish their accomplishments. In an age where every aspect of society was required to serve a marked purpose, it seems valid to suggest that art was a tool to determine social identity rather than promote spirituality.