primitive painting

Primitive painting, also known as cave art or rock art, refers to paintings and engravings found in caves and shelters dating back to the Ice Age, roughly between 40,000 and 14,000 years ago. These artworks, created by early humans (Homo sapiens), are most commonly found in France and Spain, but also exist in other parts of the world.1

The pigments used were typically red iron oxides or black manganese dioxide and charcoal. While human figures are rare, animals are the predominant subject matter, including extinct species like mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses, as well as horses, bison, and deer. Geometric signs are also common. The exact meaning of this art remains unknown, but it is generally believed to have served a symbolic or religious function, possibly related to shamanistic beliefs.12