arc2asa art and symbolism
ART AND SYMBOLISM OF THE ANCIENTS
ARC2ASA
Not currently offered
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
The appearance of art in the archaeological record has often been said to herald the appearance of our species, behaviourally modern human. In this subject, students explore the art and symbolic behaviour of past human societies. We investigate the earliest expressions of art; its chronology and the various interpretations of why art appeared at the time it did in the archaeological record and it covers the time from over 100,000 years ago up until the Neolithic period. Art is examined in its variety, form and iconic content and we seek to determine common themes of humanity. Theoretical aspects of the interpretation of ancient art by various practitioners are discussed and we examine the links between the changing environment and humans through the images preserved in the archaeological record. A global approach is taken using examples from Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
FacultyFaculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorRichard Cosgrove
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites 30 credit points of first-year archaeology subjects or co-ordinator's approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ARC3ASA
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Readings | Introduction to Rock Art Research | Prescribed | Whitley, D.S | LEFT COAST PRESS, 2005 |
Readings | Prehistoric art: the symbolic jorney of humankind, | Recommended | White, R. | HARRY N. ABRAMS INC PUBLISHERS 2003 |
Readings | The Cambridge illustrated history of prehistoric art, | Recommended | Bahn, P. | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 1998 |
Readings | The archaeology of rock art, | Recommended | Chippendale, C. & Tacon, S. (eds) | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 1998 |
Subject options
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