Prehistoric Art: The Symbolic Journey of Humankind

"In Prehistoric Art: The Symbolic Journey of Humankind, anthropologist Randall White presents a survey of prehistoric objects and images from around the world, from the first dramatic explosion of symbolic representation that occurred approximately 40,000 years ago, to the creations of peoples whose lives and outlook remained untouched by modern civilization as recently as the early twentieth century. White interprets these objects and images in an entirely new light. Rather than approaching them as "works of art," he asks readers to look at them from the perspective of an anthropologist. He asks us, in fact, to distance ourselves from the idea of "art" as we use the term today, and instead to see these images and objects as the creations of men and women from a number of very different societies, some of which modern scholars know a great deal about, and others about which we know very little. Drawing on the most recent research of anthropologists working in Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, White places these discoveries in context, discussing the possible uses and meaning of the works, which make up one of the most fascinating and misunderstood areas of human achievement." "Lavishly illustrated with new photographs of prehistoric paintings, drawings, and artifacts from around the world, this book is an essential source for scholars, and at the same time a fascinating introduction to the astonishing heritage of human creation."—Jacket.