This painting, found at Lascaux, was created more than 17,000 years ago. It shows many prehistoric animals, such as bulls, elk, and horses.

Ancient World 01-04 Cave Painting Of Animals

This painting is in a cave in Argentina, South America. Paintings of shapes and handprints are fairly common in cave art. Many scientists believe that handprints were a way for artists to sign their paintings.

Ancient World 01-05 Cave Painting Of Shapes And Handprints

In prehistoric times, spears were often lodged inside a spear thrower, which would release the weapon faster than when normally thrown. This image shows the top of a spear thrower that has broken away from the rest of the device.

Ancient World 01-06 Spear Thrower Top

This clay sculpture of a bison was found in a low room, deep inside a cave in France. It was made about 10,000 to 14,000 years ago and measures about 24 inches in length. The artist sculpted it from gold-colored clay. Carved lines show details such as the animal's face, coat markings, and the fringe of fur below its powerful neck.

Ancient World 01-07 Clay Sculpture

Cave artists used sharp stones to grind colored minerals into powder. They mixed the powder with animal fat to create paint. They may have used moss, fur, hollow reeds, or their own hair as paintbrushes.

Boyd Gossett