Painted Caves, a beautifully illustrated introduction to the oldest art of Western Europe, charts the historical background to the acceptance of a Palaeolithic age for the very ancient paintings found in caves. Offering an up-to-date overview of the geographical distribution of the sites found in southern France and the Iberian Peninsula, and examples known in Britain, Italy, Romania, and Russia, Lawson's expert study is not restricted to the art in caves, but places this art alongside the engravings and sculptures found both on portable objects and on rock faces in the open air.
Written from an archaeological perspective, the volume stresses how the individual images cannot be considered in isolation, but should rather be related to their location and other evidence that might provide clues to their significance. Although many scholars have put forward ideas as to the meaning and function of the art, Lawson discusses some of the substantive theories and offers glimpses of his own experience in the field and enduring fascination for the subject.
By:
Andrew J. Lawson (Freelance archaeologist)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 252mm,
Width: 194mm,
Spine: 32mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780199698226
ISBN 10: 0199698228
Pages: 482
Publication Date: 03 May 2012
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword by Jean Clottes Prologue Acknowledgements List of Special Sections Lists of Plates, Text Figures, Special Section Figures, and Gazetteer Figures Notes for Readers Part 1: The Text 1: Introduction: The scope of the book 2: Enlightenment and Discovery: The birth of the Palaeolithic period and the discovery of the first decorated objects 3: Denial and Atonement: The discovery of Upper Palaeolithic rock art and the definition of style 4: Precision and controversy: The use of direct radiocarbon age estimates 5: Where and when? The distribution of Upper Palaeolithic rock art sites in Western Europe 6: Lifting the painted Veil: The quest for meaning Epilogue Part 2: The Gazetteer 1: Altamira, Cantabria, Spain 2: La Peña de Candamo, Asturias, Spain 3: Monte Castillo, Cantabria, Spain; including El Castillo, Las Chimeneas, Las Monedas and La Pasiega 4: Chauvet, Ardèche, France 5: Cosquer, Bouche du Rhône, France 6: Cougnac, Lot, France 7: Covaciella, Asturias, France; including El Bosque 8: La Garma, Cantabria, Spain 9: Lascaux, Dordogne, France 10: Llonín, Asturias, Spain 11: Mayenne-Sciences, Mayenne, France 12: Niaux, Ariège, France 13: Pech-Merle, Lot, France 14: La Pileta, Andalucía, Spain 15: Le Portel, Ariège, France 16: Tito Bustillo, Asturias, Spain Appendix: Table of radiocarbon age estimates References Picture Credits Index
Andrew Lawson has been a professional archaeologist for nearly 40 years. After a spell as a research assistant for the University of Chicago, he worked for 10 years as a prehistorian in the Norfolk Museums Service. He held the post of Unit Director/Chief Executive of the Trust for Wessex Archaeology, one of Britain's leading professional practices, for 20 years. Throughout his career he has visited rock art sites in Europe and elsewhere. He has excavated sites of all periods, published a wide range of archaeological papers, has lectured to university and extra-mural courses, and has led specialist tours to prehistoric sites in many countries.
Reviews for Painted Caves: Palaeolithic Rock Art in Western Europe
a beautifully produced and ambitious volume Paul G. Bahn, Times Literary Supplement well presented, very readable and well informed INORA (International Newsletter on Rock Art)
