ART AND SYMBOLISM OF THE ANCIENTS
ARC3ASA
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
School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Richard Cosgrove
Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Available as Elective: No
Learning Activities: N/A
Capstone subject: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: 30 credit points of first year archaeology subjects or co-ordinator's approval
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: ARC2ASA
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Quota Management Strategy: N/A
Quota-conditions or rules: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Minimum credit point requirement: N/A
Assumed knowledge: N/A
Learning resources
The Cambridge illustrated history of prehistoric art
Resource Type: Book
Resource Requirement: Recommended
Author: Bahn, P.
Year: 1998
Edition/Volume: N/A
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
ISBN: N/A
Chapter/article title: N/A
Chapter/issue: N/A
URL: N/A
Other description: N/A
Source location: N/A
Introduction to Rock Art Research
Resource Type: Book
Resource Requirement: Prescribed
Author: Whitley, D.S
Year: 2005
Edition/Volume: N/A
Publisher: LEFT COAST PRESS
ISBN: N/A
Chapter/article title: N/A
Chapter/issue: N/A
URL: N/A
Other description: N/A
Source location: N/A
Prehistoric art: the symbolic jorney of humankind
Resource Type: Book
Resource Requirement: Recommended
Author: White, R.
Year: 2003
Edition/Volume: N/A
Publisher: HARRY N. ABRAMS INC PUBLISHERS
ISBN: N/A
Chapter/article title: N/A
Chapter/issue: N/A
URL: N/A
Other description: N/A
Source location: N/A
The archaeology of rock art
Resource Type: Book
Resource Requirement: Recommended
Author: Chippendale, C. & Tacon, S.
Year: 1998
Edition/Volume: N/A
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
ISBN: N/A
Chapter/article title: N/A
Chapter/issue: N/A
URL: N/A
Other description: N/A
Source location: N/A
Career Ready
Career-focused: No
Work-based learning: No
Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A
Entire subject or partial subject: N/A
Total hours/days required: N/A
Location of WBL activity (region): N/A
WBL addtional requirements: N/A