Research: Paleolithic era

In my flow chart, I discussed that I wanted to first research one era at a time, then start sketching out initial ideas, then complete more research and then develop my ideas. 

In this blog post, I will be looking at my first era, the Paleolithic era:

The Paleolithic era approximately existed from 2.6 million years ago till 10,000 years ago. (softschools.com, n.d.). It was considered the Old stone age as the origins of the word 'Paleolithic' come from the greek words 'Paleo- παλαιό' which means old and 'lithic- λίθος´ which means stone, thus making this era the ´Old Stone age´. The Old stone age was also separated into three categories: Lower Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic, Upper Paleolithic. 

During this era, they started using tool construction, simple pebble tools. Humans would hunt down animals in order to supply their food for survival. Their diet would range from animals to insects, vegetables, fruit. They used axes, stones, takshni, Khurchni, piercings as tools that were not very sophisticated or sharp.

'Acheulean hand-axes: Acheulean hand-axes from Kent. The types shown are (clockwise from top) cordate, ficron, and ovate. Evidence shows these early hominids intentionally selected raw materials with good flaking qualities and chose appropriate-sized stones for their needs to produce sharp-edged tools for cutting.' (lumen learning, n.d.)

They also gathered food, firewood, and materials for their clothes, tools and shelter. Their shelter would be carefully considered as they had to find places that would defend them against animals and shelter them from the weather. This included areas near rivers, lakes, streams and hills. Overtime however, these locations would erode because of the weather so they had to change locations. 

'Animals from which the human was familiar in the Palaeolithic period were – Monkey, Deer, Goat, Buffalo, Cow-Bull, Nilgai, Pig, Reindeer, Rhinoceros, Elephants, etc. The remains of which, found from the artifacts of a mountain shelter.' (india old days, n.d.)

Caves were the most known examples of shelter for the paleolithic era. Wood, straw and rock were also used to create shelter. They used to live in the Kandras of the mountain. 

Drawing of the Venus of Tan-Tan

This statue shows the earliest representation of the human form. It is believed that this was made in the Middle Paleolithic. They specifically believe that this was a creation of the human form.

Blombos caves: These caves led people to believe that they were capable of abstraction and the creation of art.  'Made from ochre, the stones are engraved with abstract patterns, and while they are simpler than prehistoric cave paintings found in Europe, some scholars believe these engraved stones represent the earliest known artworks, dating from 75,000 years ago.' (lumen learning, n.d.)

Engraved Orche from the blombos caves

Cave paintings:

This era showed the creativity in humans. Archaeologists discovered caves with great paintings all over them. The paintings were usually divided into three categories. These included: animal, human figure and abstract sign.

Southern France and spain have some of the most spectacular cave paintings.

'The pigments used appear to be red and yellow ochre , manganese or carbon for black, and china clay for white. Some of the color may have been mixed with fat. The paint was applied by finger, chewed sticks, or fur for brushes. Sometimes the silhouette of the animal was incised in the rock first, and in some caves many of the images were only engraved in this fashion, taking them out of a strict definition of “cave painting.” (lumen learning, n.d.)

In caves, there are abstract marks and dots that are seen throughout. I can use those abstract marks as an inspiration for a pattern on my lamp.

The Venus of Hohle Fels                   The Venus of Willendorf

They also created statues of women. 'Venus' reference the goddess of beauty. This led people to believe that the upper paleolithic era was a female-dominated society and revolved around the beauty and power of women.

I can use these figures as inspiration to create a lamp dedicated towards the power and beauty of women just like back then. I can also use the word 'Venus' and include it in one of my lamps. 

Conclusions:

It is evident that I discussed many different subjects in this blog post. To summarise, I will try and make some links with how I can develop my initial ideas of one of the lamps based on this research.

Links to my own design:

1. I can closely look into their tools and draw inspiration from their shape or material. 
2. Take inspiration from the clothes they wore.
3. Take inspiration from their shelter or the location of their shelter.
4. Take inspiration from the common animals seen in that era.
5. Inspiration from the statues they created (example being the Venus of Tan-Tan or the venus goddesses.)
6. Look further into the Blombos caves.
7. Get inspiration from the abstraction they used and create abstract designs or patterns using the dots and marks.
8. Look closely into the cave paintings/ colours they used. 

9. Examine specific drawings on the caves (the three categories: animal, figure, abstract).

This research will help me start creating my initial ideas. I will start forming links and various ideas. Then, I will choose some designs and try to further research in order to modify my designs and make them as detailed as possible. In the next blog posts, I also have to start researching the other eras and then start sketching out the initial ideas. 

References:

Soft Schools (n.d.) Paleolithic age facts. Available at: https://www.softschools.com/facts/prehistoric/paleolithic_age_facts/2898/#:~:text=The%20Paleolithic%20Age%20refers%20to,beginning%20of%20the%20Mesolithic%20Age.  [Accessed: 02/05/21]

Lumen Learning (n.d.) The paleolithic period. Available at: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/the-paleolithic-period/ [Accessed: 02/05/21]