Mining the Middle Paleolithic: The Emergence of Early Neanderthal Art

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Art History Session 2: Persistent Symbols: Art and Meaning
Mentor: Dr. Jared T. Benton

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

An increasing body of evidence supports the conclusion that Neanderthals were not only capable of, but actively engaged in a wide range of symbolic and artistic activities. This evidence begs important questions, including whether or not such behavior was independently developed in Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans or inherited from a common ancestor, and why, if Neanderthals were capable of the same kinds of art-making as were anatomically modern humans, they never seem to have developed representational forms of art. The answers to these questions may lie in the deep history of hominid symbol-making and Neanderthal ecology and demographics, respectively.

Presentation Type

Event

Location

Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Room 1306

Start Date

2-18-2017 10:15 AM

End Date

2-18-2017 11:15 AM

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Feb 18th, 10:15 AM Feb 18th, 11:15 AM

Mining the Middle Paleolithic: The Emergence of Early Neanderthal Art

Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Room 1306

An increasing body of evidence supports the conclusion that Neanderthals were not only capable of, but actively engaged in a wide range of symbolic and artistic activities. This evidence begs important questions, including whether or not such behavior was independently developed in Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans or inherited from a common ancestor, and why, if Neanderthals were capable of the same kinds of art-making as were anatomically modern humans, they never seem to have developed representational forms of art. The answers to these questions may lie in the deep history of hominid symbol-making and Neanderthal ecology and demographics, respectively.