• Period: 40,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE

    Paleolithic

    Paleolithic art refers to the oldest known creative expressions produced by early humans during the Old Stone Age, roughly 40,000 to 10,000 BCE, consisting of cave paintings and carvings. It features mainly realistic animals, abstract symbols, and handprints, likely serving spiritual or ritual purposes.
  • Woman of Willendorf is  a ~4.4-inch, limestone figurine discovered in 1908 near Willendorf, Austria.
    25,000 BCE

    Woman of Willendorf is a ~4.4-inch, limestone figurine discovered in 1908 near Willendorf, Austria.

    The woman of Willendorf is a small figure of a woman made with some sort on limestone. the woman has a large figure with big Brest, belly/belly button, and sowing there privets but has no details on the head, feet, and hands. the large figure is speculated to mean fertility as to say that they are ready to be pregnant or are already pregnant and used to increase there clan and may have a better chance of survival during berth.
  • Hall of Bulls made in 17,000BCE in the Lascaux cave complex in France, featuring massive, detailed images, 62 feet long.
    17,000 BCE

    Hall of Bulls made in 17,000BCE in the Lascaux cave complex in France, featuring massive, detailed images, 62 feet long.

    The hall of bulls was painted using charcoal and natural earth pigments and during its construction there is left over scaffolding for the harder places to reach. The details on the painting are overlapping each other making it look like a herd of a animal and having great details to the close up animals. the painting is mostly abstract with many types of animals like bulls, horses, and deer which were animals they also hunted and in theory could mean that they worship the animals they hunted.
  • The Sorcerer cave painting/engraving from c. 13,000 BCE in France, depicting a 29.5-inch tall hybrid human-animal figure, located in "The Sanctuary" chamber of the Trois-Frères cave in Montesquieu-Avantès, Ariège
    13,000 BCE

    The Sorcerer cave painting/engraving from c. 13,000 BCE in France, depicting a 29.5-inch tall hybrid human-animal figure, located in "The Sanctuary" chamber of the Trois-Frères cave in Montesquieu-Avantès, Ariège

    The half human Half animal Hybrid is a painting found deep inside the cave where it may have been used for magic and cults. considering the location maybe people of higher status were able to visit this painting. The painting could have been a spirit that was used to worship and that a shaman would pray/worship hoping for a better hunt since the spirit has two big antlers, having a tail of a horse and face of some bird which were animals they hunted for food/survival.
  • Period: 10,000 BCE to 3000 BCE

    Neolithic

    creations of the New Stone Age marking a shift from nomadic, cave-painting hunter-gatherers to settled, agricultural societies. Art became more functional, and symbolic, focusing on pottery, stylized sculpture, megalithic architecture, and stylized wall paintings, reflecting agricultural, religious, and social development
  • Jericho skull is15-17cm in height and 14.6 in width, discovered in 1953 by Kathleen Kenyon in Tell es-Sultan, West Bank.
    7000 BCE

    Jericho skull is15-17cm in height and 14.6 in width, discovered in 1953 by Kathleen Kenyon in Tell es-Sultan, West Bank.

    the Jericho skull and many other similar skull were plastered with clay and had shells were eyes use to be. the skulls where also modified to look realistic like having mustaches/hair, removing cavities, and having shells for eyes. They were found under home with other body parts and other skulls and its theorized that the skulls were used to worship there deceased ancestors and used for protection.
  • Female figure with obsidian is a 17cm long and 10.96 cm wide, found in Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic site in central Turkey
    6000 BCE

    Female figure with obsidian is a 17cm long and 10.96 cm wide, found in Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic site in central Turkey

    the statue is made of limestone but in a location where most things where made of clay. the statue is very detailed with having the figure/body how the fat of the woman sagging and showing rolls of fat but having a well detail face and hair. the when comparing it to other statue like the woman of Willendorf have very different meaning where the woman with obsidian mean a person of higher status, importance, and life style while the woman of Willendorf meant fertility and life.
  • Period: 5500 BCE to 330 BCE

    Art of the Ancient Near East

    Art in the Ancient Near East was rarely created for aesthetic decoration; rather, it was a functional, symbolic tool designed to reinforce political power, religious authority, and social order. It typically includes stylized figures, narrative reliefs, and monumental architecture from Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian cultures.
  • Period: 5000 BCE to 1070 BCE

    Ancient Egypt Art

    a highly stylized, conservative, and symbolic form of artistic expression designed primarily for religious, funerary, and magical purposes. Produced to maintain cosmic order and secure eternal life, it included monumental sculptures , tomb paintings, jewelry, and architecture using consistent, symbolic conventions.
  • Period: 5000 BCE to 3000 BCE

    pry- Dynastic period

    Predynastic Egyptian art refers to early pottery, cosmetic palettes, carved figurines, and small-scale art that established the core themes of later Egyptian culture, such as the afterlife, hunting, and nature
  • Badarin Culture, Egypt, female figuring, Grave good, 14cm X 3.8cm X 2.2cm, British museum
    4400 BCE

    Badarin Culture, Egypt, female figuring, Grave good, 14cm X 3.8cm X 2.2cm, British museum

    this figuring made of hippo ivory is not clear to what its purpose is or was but its theorized that it was a symbol of fertility but the figuring is different to other previous fertility figures since this one has details in the face , skinny figure but does have over huge breast. the figure was found in a tomb with other stuff but not found near any bones so its lead to a mystery to what its purpose of this figuring.
  • Stonehenge is108 feet wide made up of 17 upright stones made around 4000BCE-2000BCE,  located in Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, near the town of Amesbury.
    4000 BCE

    Stonehenge is108 feet wide made up of 17 upright stones made around 4000BCE-2000BCE, located in Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, near the town of Amesbury.

    when looking at Stonehenge its theories to be a place of worship since it has been reported that there has been sites of dead bodies and cremation and would worship the moon during the lunar cycle. Stonehenge also could have been a huge clock as to track the day, week, and moths and the seasons. finally there is evidence of Stonehenge used for celebration were people would gather during the winter and would celebrate the sun for its light, warmth, and life.
  • Period: 4000 BCE to 2000 BCE

    sumer

    Sumerian art refers to the artistic and architectural practices of the Sumer civilization, which flourished in ancient Mesopotamia. materials like clay and stone, intricate pottery, detailed sculptures, and monumental architecture, reflecting the religious, social, and political aspects of Sumerian culture.
  • Warka Vase Sumer, 3200–3000 BCE, is a 3-foot-tall carved alabaster vessel from the Sumerian city of Uruk (modern Warka, Iraq), currently located in a national museum of Iraq
    3200 BCE

    Warka Vase Sumer, 3200–3000 BCE, is a 3-foot-tall carved alabaster vessel from the Sumerian city of Uruk (modern Warka, Iraq), currently located in a national museum of Iraq

    The Warka Vase is made of a white stone that is carved with three different tiers. The bottom tier is vegetation and animal, second/middle tier are naked men carrying goods of all sort, top/third tier has all the men with goods, the animals, and vegetation being given to what look like the goddess of Mesopotamia. She is also the biggest figure compared to the carving and it's because she is somebody of high importance. this vase was also looted in April 2003 and was recovered June 12,2003.
  • Period: 3100 BCE to 2686 BCE

    early dynastic period

    the foundational era following the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, bridging the Predynastic Period and the Old Kingdom
  • White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk(AI depiction), sumer, the White Temple sat atop a 12-meter high mud-brick terrace )the Ziggurat), located in Anu District of Uruk (modern-day Warka, Iraq).
    3000 BCE

    White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk(AI depiction), sumer, the White Temple sat atop a 12-meter high mud-brick terrace )the Ziggurat), located in Anu District of Uruk (modern-day Warka, Iraq).

    the temple was made out of mud bricks which in cause for it to break down overtime since stone was rare in the are. The size of the temple matters as to signify a higher power/status that also includes the white color. the temple was a important place that was used to worship the gods of the sky Anu and in the white temple where bones of a leopard and a lion which most likely a ritual or offering of a great animal was given.
  • Pallete of Narmer, Early Dynastic, 63.5 cm (more than 2 feet),  Egyptian Museum in Cairo
    2950 BCE

    Pallete of Narmer, Early Dynastic, 63.5 cm (more than 2 feet), Egyptian Museum in Cairo

    this carved pallet of smooth greyish-green siltstone, is decorated on both faces with detailed low relief show King Narmer but are not sure what this scene means. the pallet does show that the king is very important due to the size of his carving compared to the other carving of people and animals and the head ware. the bird also tell us that it may be a good and is speaking to the king. but the imagery of the pallet is leaving people to theories what is going on.
  • Ka Statue of King Djoser, Old Kingdom,60” x 18” x 37 ½” , The Egyptian Museum, Cairo
    2686 BCE

    Ka Statue of King Djoser, Old Kingdom,60” x 18” x 37 ½” , The Egyptian Museum, Cairo

    this limestone is the statue of Djoser is the oldest known life-sized Egyptian statue. It depicts King Djoser himself, seated on his throne and enveloped in a jubilee cloak. you also notice the head aware called a Nemes headcloth that signifies his divine royal status and a false beard that represents his connection to the divine.
  • Period: 2649 BCE to 2130 BCE

    old kingdom

    called the "Age of the Pyramids," was a transformative era of stability, immense wealth, and centralized power.
  • The Great Pyramids of Giza, old Kingdom, Northern Egypt
    2575 BCE

    The Great Pyramids of Giza, old Kingdom, Northern Egypt

    these huge pyramids are one of seven of the wonders in the world since many scientist wonder how something this big was able to be constructed by man with the technology they had. for there purpose they were used as big tombs fore pharos like Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. and the size of them mattered that it was symbolized as being close to the gods and the pyramids were also to reflect the sum as to reach the gods. the size also meant the power and status of the previous pharos.
  • Khafre Enthroned, c. 2520–2494 BCE ,old kingdom, 168 cm x 57 cm x 95 cm, Egyptian Museum
    2520 BCE

    Khafre Enthroned, c. 2520–2494 BCE ,old kingdom, 168 cm x 57 cm x 95 cm, Egyptian Museum

    the statue of king Khafre is not just a sculpture of a normal man but depicts him as someone worthy of the gods/ Devine and you can see that by the falcon who is depicted as the god Horus. the stance he holds while sitting, his seat he is on, and his clothing depicts royalty .the material used called diorite is important since its a hard material and looking at the statue you see no gaps and by it having no week point its a statue that will last very strong and will very hard to destroy.
  • Period: 2500 BCE to 605 BCE

    Assyria

    is a Mesopotamian visual style defined by narrative stone relief carvings, colossal Lamassu guardians, and palace decoration emphasizing royal power, warfare, and hunting.
  • Standard of Ur, sumer (Early Dynastic III period, 21.7cm(height) x 50.4cm(length) x 11.6cm (base width), located in the British museum of London, UK
    2400 BCE

    Standard of Ur, sumer (Early Dynastic III period, 21.7cm(height) x 50.4cm(length) x 11.6cm (base width), located in the British museum of London, UK

    Artifact is made of red limestone, bitumen, and lapis lazuli which is a rare and would mean wealth. the artifact has two side each side telling a different story one with peace the other war and having 3 tiers. War side has warriors with fur on chariots, then warrior holding and capturing enemies, then the king(biggest figure) looking at his enemies. The peace side shows men carrying goods and leading donkeys, men leading bulls, vegetables and fish, then celebrating and offers goods to the king.
  • Period: 2350 BCE to 2150 BCE

    Akkad

    Akkadian art refers to the artistic style, works, and cultural production of the Akkadian Empire in ancient Mesopotamia. shift in Mesopotamian art, moving away from stylized, formal Sumerian traditions toward greater realism, naturalism, and the glorification of ruling monarchs.
  • The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, Akkad, 2 meters high,  Currently in the Louvre Museum, Paris
    2254 BCE

    The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, Akkad, 2 meters high, Currently in the Louvre Museum, Paris

    this sculpture is made of a pink lime stone. the sculpture depicts a battle/war of king Naram and his army fighting the Lullubi mountain people of the Zagros Mountains where he is killing his enemies and watching them fall to there death and where one of his enemy's are pleading awhile also fleeing the mayhem . you also notice that the king is the largest person there as to tell us he is the main focus and you also see how calm and focused the king and soldiers are as to say we are powerful.
  • Period: 2030 BCE to 1650 BCE

    middle kingdom

    The Middle Kingdom of Egypt was a "golden age" of stability and cultural revival, beginning with reunification under Mentuhotep II (11th Dynasty) and thriving through the 12th Dynasty. Known for advancements in literature, art, and religion, it saw the rise of Osiris worship and the expansion of trade
  • Coffin of Gua, From the tomb of Gua, middle kingdom, 1985-1795 BC, brithish museum
    1985 BCE

    Coffin of Gua, From the tomb of Gua, middle kingdom, 1985-1795 BC, brithish museum

    this coffin depicts many different gods like Anubis on the lid and Osiris, Isis, and Nephthys on the sides and they are associating the gods to the dead. we also see what look like a map and people say is the map to the afterlife(The Book of Two Ways). and the coffin also depicts offering that may be required to give or to have for a persons afterlife. finally there are a pair of eyes that look into the sun and would symbolize rebirth/life.
  • Stele of Amenemhat I, middle kingdom, 1950 BCE, the Egyptian Museum
    1950 BCE

    Stele of Amenemhat I, middle kingdom, 1950 BCE, the Egyptian Museum

    in this sculpted image of a family show a intimate image of a mother and father hugging there son but you see what look like a daughter/sister alone in the fare right. you also notice the indifference of the size of the daughter compared to the rest since she is the smallest there while the others are a lot bigger even when they are sitting. you also don't see a lot of intimate hugging going on with other piece of Greek art.
  • Period: 1894 BCE to 598 BCE

    Babylon

    Babylonian art refers to the artistic, architectural, and decorative achievements of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. reliance on clay, monumental mudbrick architecture (like ziggurats), and vibrant glazed brick reliefs, it aimed to honor gods and showcase royal power.
  • Head of Senusret III, middle kingdom, c. 1836-1818 BCE, the Egyptian Museum
    1836 BCE

    Head of Senusret III, middle kingdom, c. 1836-1818 BCE, the Egyptian Museum

    the statue of king Senusret is different then other statues since with comparing to other kings/pharos the face of the current ruler is depicted as someone young and full of youth but for king Senusret is someone who looks older, detailed cheek bones, big ears, and seem more tired and worn out compared to other statues of previous rulers. Senusret does fallow the usual royal look with the usual Nemes headcloth with a snake on it.
  • Stele of Hammurabi, Babylon, 7.5 feet, currently located in Louvre Museum in Paris, France
    1750 BCE

    Stele of Hammurabi, Babylon, 7.5 feet, currently located in Louvre Museum in Paris, France

    this artifact is made of a black diorite stone and has carving of a language for 2/3 of the body with 1/3 being a sculpted image. it depicts the king of Babylon being guided by a god into informing the other man the laws and is proven do to the writing on the stone with it having 282 laws. the body language of the other man look like he is taking a oath to tell the common people to follow the rules of not just the king but the law of the gods
  • Period: 1570 BCE to 1070 BCE

    new kingdom

    known as the Egyptian Empire, was the peak of ancient Egyptian power, wealth, and territorial expansion, spanning the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. known for its warrior-pharaohs who built a massive empire, monumental architecture like the Valley of the Kings, and famous rulers including Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun, and Ramesses II
  • Seated Statue of Hatshepsut, new kingdom, r.1473-1458 BCE,
    1473 BCE

    Seated Statue of Hatshepsut, new kingdom, r.1473-1458 BCE,

    Hatshepsut is the fist female pharaoh and when looking at her statue you see how she tried to look like a man but not completely since you can still see features of a woman with her breast, her figure, and how her skin look. Hatshepsut is also shown wearing the nemes-headcloth and the shendyt-kilt. These are part of the ceremonial attire of the Egyptian king, which was traditionally a man's role. Her history of her becoming a pharaoh was almost erased as to try to keep men as the only pharaohs.
  • Hatshepsut obelisk at Karnak temple, new kingdom, 14723-1458 BCE, Egypt
    1473 BCE

    Hatshepsut obelisk at Karnak temple, new kingdom, 14723-1458 BCE, Egypt

    Hatshepsut used the obelisk to solidify her right to rule as a female pharaoh. The inscriptions repeatedly emphasize her relationship with the god Amun-Ra. the pyramidion show the Queen kneeling in front of Amun. The upper half of the obelisk contains 8 scenes on each side of the central column text. for a total of 32 scenes and showing Hatshepsut and her family making offerings to Amun.
  • Headless Statue of Akhenaten, new kingdom,1345-1335 BCE,
    1345 BCE

    Headless Statue of Akhenaten, new kingdom,1345-1335 BCE,

    the Statue of Akhenaten was a new shift of art that would change Egyptian its usual style. The usual style for Egyptian statues where masculine with muscles but with Akhenaten it was a combination of both genders with it having wide hips, chubby stomach but no sort of genital's as to prove what gender he is. people suggest that he portrayed himself as both gender but not have a for sure gender as to be like the gods since a god docent have a gender.
  • Lamassu, palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Assyria, 11 feet high, primarily located in the British Museum in London
    883 BCE

    Lamassu, palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Assyria, 11 feet high, primarily located in the British Museum in London

    the statue is made of a big piece of gypsum alabaster chosen for their workability and white color. the statue if a hybrid of a human head, body of a bull, and wings of a eagle. the king of the palace made the statue with 5 legs as to make it like its standing firmly in front bur moving when looking at the side. the human head also has a crown with bull horns which signifies power. the statues were place in from of the palace door to be used as protection.
  • Ashurbanipal and his Queen in the Garden, Assyria,58.42 cm in height, 139.70 cm in width, located in The British Museum in London.
    645 BCE

    Ashurbanipal and his Queen in the Garden, Assyria,58.42 cm in height, 139.70 cm in width, located in The British Museum in London.

    the carving is made of a gypsum alabaster and in the sculpture is depicts a king and queen celebrating with food and drinks. if you look around you can see them celebrating a battle and see a image of a bow meaning the king may have been in the battle but you also see severed heads hanging but you also see the king looking at the heads while he is laying on a couch. you also notice that the queen and king are the biggest people there compared to the servants and are in the middle of the carving.
  • Ashurbanipal hunting a lion. Assyrian, 160.02 cm high and 116.84 cm wide, located in the British museum
    645 BCE

    Ashurbanipal hunting a lion. Assyrian, 160.02 cm high and 116.84 cm wide, located in the British museum

    this carving and many other carving of king Ashurbanipal hunting lions is carved from gypsum alabaster. the carving describes the king killing a lion by himself with his hand and a blade. you also notice how calm and confident the king is but for the lion it is looking scared and distress. the meaning of killing these animals are to show power and strength for killing a power full animal. it also tells his people he is a heron since it was the kings job to kill these lions.
  • Period: 550 BCE to 330 BCE

    Persian

    is a diverse, influential tradition characterized by eclectic, luxurious, and highly detailed craftsmanship
  • Cyrus cylinder, Persia, measuring 21.9–22.5 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter, located in the British museum in London.
    539 BCE

    Cyrus cylinder, Persia, measuring 21.9–22.5 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter, located in the British museum in London.

    the Cyrus Cylinder is made from a baked clay and was carved into a barrel shape with inscriptions. the Cyrus cylinder is importantly regarded as the first documented bill of human rights that was inscribed and ordered by the Persian king, Cyrus the great. the Cyrus has inscriptions of religious freedom, talks about a persons human rights, what there government was like, and the freedom of deported people(Jews).
  • Bull Capital from Apadana, Persia, 40 to 60 feet high, currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
    520 BCE

    Bull Capital from Apadana, Persia, 40 to 60 feet high, currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

    the double headed bull statue was made of limestone and the huge statue was a purpose of status. it was so that any other people who visited the king would be intimidated by the two headed bull and would also give the king a sense of power that he could produce such a big architecture statue. the size was not to also intimidate people bur to maybe impress other noble or people of power.
  • Gate of All Nations, 16½ meters high, within the ruins of the ancient city of Persepolis, southwestern Iran.
    486 BCE

    Gate of All Nations, 16½ meters high, within the ruins of the ancient city of Persepolis, southwestern Iran.

    the gates where made of huge pieces of limestones that signify a sense of power by making the people walking feel small but it also gave people a sense of protection due to the huge walls made of stone. the hybrid of a half man half bulls on the door was a inspiration from the Babylonia and Assyria and would also use the huge half animals half human as a way to ward of evil spirits.