Cave paintings date back 35,000 years ago and their sole purpose is not known or fully understood. Some popular theories suggest that they were created to serve as print communication between different groups of people, painted for the purpose of artwork, and created as meaningful parts of religious ceremonies. The present day locations of cave paintings include France, Spain, England, Bulgaria, Nottinghamshire, and Creswell Crags. Some of the more recent works were completed as recently as a few thousand years ago. Given the primitive nature of the paints and supplies, some of the lasting works are truly remarkable.

Purpose for Cave Paintings

Cave paintings began when mankind was still nomadic and prior to any hint of civilization. People from the Palaeolithic Era, 35,000 to 12,000 years ago, started drawing and painting animals on cave walls. This may have been to honor them or for part of a religious ceremony. The animals of the time may have been at the center of those ceremonies because of the belief that they were gods. Other ideas on the purpose of the paintings relate to tracking time, like a primitive calendar system. One additional thought about the purpose of the paintings is to track seasonal game animal movements, like a Caribou or similar migratory mammal. Regardless of the variety of actual reasons, it is apparent that the artists intended for their work to be seen, because it was displayed in very public places.

·         Art of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras – Theories and examples of ancient cave paintings

·         Cave painting – Scientific information and example pictures of the paintings

·         Cave paintings of Baja California – History and a few pictures of ancient cave artwork

·         Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History – A timeline of cave art works

How Cave Paintings were Made

The most basic method of making paint is to mix a pigment with a liquid, so that when the liquid dries the color is left behind. It is believed that the early cave paintings were created by mixing water or animal fat with varying colors of dirt or charcoal. The lasting color of iron oxide, or rust, was heavily utilized and very desirable for its visual brilliance and durability. The limited knowledge of available resources restricted the ancient artist to three basic color choices, which were red, black, and yellow. Researchers surmise that the primitive paints were applied with various brushes, by smearing with the hands, and with a variety of other natural objects. 

·         Early Pigments – An explanation of how primitive paints were concocted

·         Cave Paintings and Rock Art – Additional info about how the cave paints were created

·         Prehistoric Art – Many examples of ancient artwork, including cave paintings

·         First Oil Paintings – World’s first oil paintings in Afghan caves

Most Notable Cave Paintings

France and Spain are home to many of the most well known cave paintings today. Close to 350 caves with ancient paintings on the walls have been discovered to this point, with the potential of more to follow. The continents of Asia, America, Africa, and Australia are also home to notable works of prehistoric cave paintings. Some famous examples of these paintings are as follows:

·         20 Most Fascinating Prehistoric Paintings

·         Palaeolithic Cave Paintings

·         Cave Paintings and Images

·         Killing Lascaux

·         Cave Paintings in India

·         Portrait History

·         Ancient Cave Art

·         Palaeolithis Cave Artwork

·         French Art History

·         Petrogylphs

·         Deep Cave Rock Art

·         Prehistoric and Ancient Art