Early Humans

What role does lighting play in the caves?  How might these paintings have been used by primitive man?  What are the two techniques that the early artists used to paint on the walls of the cave?  Why do you think they painted with these images?

    The primary purpose of lighting was to increase visibilities within caves; however, the small area lit by small fires can provide dramatic staging and alter the color of cave paintings. Additionally, the flicker of a flame can trick our brains into filling the gaps of darkness with motion—making the paintings appear animated. These paintings may have been used by primitive man for spiritual rituals, recounting events, and or to serve the same purpose that a lot of more modern art serves. Two techniques that the early artists used to paint on the walls of caves were repeating the same image and superimposing images to create animation. There is one painting which depicts a multitude of identical deer heads with slightly different positions; if you were to see them one by one then it would appear like a single dear raising its head. In another cave, there were rhinos that were drawn overlapping one another and it is possible that, with fire light, it may appear to move. I think that these images were painted to fulfill the purpose that art has had throughout history. Although one may think that primitive man would have no purpose for art, in every point of history, including dark ones, people have created art. Art can be used for spiritual purposes, records, expression, escape, or even as a simple hobby for fun.