Art in the form of decorating objects and depicting the world around us may be one of the things that characterises homo sapiens. Ice Age artists display a range of styles of art from very abstract patterns to highly naturalistic portrayals of animals. Techniques include painting, engraving and carving. Different materials were used such as bone, antler, ivory, stone and probably wood, though the latter does not survive. Here are some examples.
Wolverine pendant
Bone pendant with engraved wolverine.
Found: Les Eyzies cave, the Dordogne, France.
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/b/bone_pendant_with_wolverine.aspxEngraved rib bone
Rib bone engraved with reindeer and an ibex.
Found: Courbet cave, Penne-Tarn area, France.
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/e/engraved_rib.aspxHorse on antler
Perforated antler baton with a horse carved in relief.
Found: La Madeleine rock shelter, the Dordogne, France.
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/p/perforated_baton_with_horse.aspxSwimming reindeer
Swimming reindeer carved from ivory.
Found: Montastruc rockshelter, Tarn et Garonne area, France.
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/s/swimming_reindeer.aspxBone pin
Decorated bone pin.
Found: Gorge d’Enfer, Dordogne, France.
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/d/decorated_bone_pin.aspxHorse jaw
A decorated horse jaw.
Found: Kendrick’s Cave, Llandudno, Wales.
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/d/decorated_horse_jaw.aspx