What is the age range of the oldest rock art found in Blombos Cave, South Africa?

Ca. 75,000 to 100,000 years old

During which period does the majority of discovered pre-historic rock art date?

Upper/Late Paleolithic period (ca. 50,000 to 10,000 BCE)

When did Homo sapiens first arrive in Asia?

Ca. 50,000 - 60,000 years ago

When did Homo sapiens first arrive in Europe?

Ca. 35,000-45,000 years ago

Where are the oldest known examples of figurative art found?

On the Indonesian island of Sulawesi

What technique was used to create hand stencils in Sulawesi cave paintings?

Placing the hand against the cave wall and blowing a water + ochre mixture onto the surface

What is the possible significance of the hand stencils found in Sulawesi caves?

They may symbolize protection and warding off evil

What do the hunting scenes in Sulawesi Island caves depict?

Figures resembling human-animal hybrids and possibly representations of an anoa and a babirusa

How old are the paintings found in El Castillo Cave, Spain?

Ca. 40,000 years old

What do the majority of hand stencils in El Castillo Cave represent?

Womens' hands

What is the age of the deer antler carved with a representation of a deer found in El Castillo Cave?

Ca. 20,000 years old

Where are the majority of Paleolithic cave paintings typically located?

Deep inside cave systems

What does the location of Paleolithic cave paintings suggest about their creators?

Only a select group of people were making or viewing the paintings

What materials were used to create Paleolithic oil lamps?

Animal fat and flammable materials like moss or grass

What is the significance of the oldest known oil lamp found in La Mouthe cave?

It is ca. 19,000 years old and features a representation of an ibex

How many individual paintings are contained in Lascaux Cave?

Ca. 6,000 individual paintings

What types of animals are predominantly represented in the paintings of Lascaux Cave?

Cattle, deer, and horses

What dietary evidence is suggested by the paintings around Lascaux Cave?

People's diet consisted mostly of reindeer and fish

What are the possible interpretations of abstract motifs found in Paleolithic cave art?

Artistic devices to convey movement or information about animal migratory or breeding patterns

What is the significance of the similarities between Paleolithic rock art in Spain and Indonesia?

It raises questions about cultural connections and shared practices across distant regions

What are the key themes to consider while reading about Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene societies?

Climate changes and their impact on lifestyles, art, and architecture; evidence of religious or spiritual beliefs