Although some scholars argue this was made on a small wheel, most agree that it is in fact made and painted by hand. There are no records of written language or belief system, perhaps this figures are symbols for fertility which would have been greatly important to the people of this time.Ĥ. Included is a "stitching" pattern whose significance is unknown.ģ. The geometric patterns that adorn the clay are stylized and very detailed. This beaker is decorated with numerous animal forms such as a mountain goat, dogs, and birds. It is considered prehistoric (before the rise of Mesopotamian city-states) and many like it were found buried in cemeteries along the fertile river valley in Susa.Ģ. This beaker was discovered under a temple mound that possibly belonged to King David of the Old Testament. There are no brushes found, so it is likely they were painted directly onto cave walls with chunks of moss, hair, a hunk of raw color, or were blown on either directly from the mouth or a hollowed out bone. The images are created with charcoal, iron ores, plants, and other pigments made with animal fat. The paintings were painted in dark caves using prehistoric lamps for light.
Others believe that the paintings are animal worship or shamanism, showing the beliefs of early people.Ĥ. Some believe they tell stories about certain hunts and give advice/tips, or were painted to replace the animals they killed. The animals they painted were very important because the peoples survival depended on them.ģ. These cave paintings could be interpreted as giving the people "hunting magic" that would provide them with a successful hunt.
The caves are not homes, but ceremonial spaces.