Prehistoric Art and Architecture
Unit 1 reading: https://cel.fscj.edu/LOR//hum/2210/1/ For our initial question of the semester, I am asking that you take up the role of cultural anthropologist. To be sure, one of the dilemmas that prehistoric artifacts and edifices presents is that they do not come inscribed with any writing. As such, we are left to only speculate as to their purpose and function for prehistoric peoples. With that said, your task here is to pick any three pieces of art/edifices mentioned in our first Learning Unit, and argue either for or against the following prompt: Religion was the impetus for much Prehistoric art and architecture. To address this question, you should use three pieces of art from the reading to support your position. In answering this prompt, you will need to tie your description of each piece of art with how it supports your position. Be aware that this question is open-ended, meaning that it is very likely that no two students will view the same artifact in the same way. But this is the nature of interpreting Prehistoric art. One need look only at Stonehenge to see how this is the case. There are some scholars, for example, who suggest that the site had a calendrical function. Others have suggested that the site was the final destination in a longer ritual burial, providing the final resting spot for the deceased. More recently still, one art critique has suggested that the site was a place of worship, where congregants would gather beneath a platform situated atop the various stones that comprise the site. In short, there is no consensus on these artifacts so feel free to take a contrarian position in your post! In addressing my prompt, please be sure to divide your three examples into three distinct paragraphs so that your readers can see where one example ends and another begins.