1. Definition: Cave paintings, also known as parietal art, are painted drawings on cave walls or ceilings, primarily of prehistoric origin, found in various parts of the world.

2. Oldest Known Cave Paintings: The oldest known cave paintings are over 40,000 years old (Art of the Upper Paleolithic), found in the El Castillo cave in Cantabria, Spain.

3. Locations: Significant cave paintings can be found in various parts of the world including Europe (France, Spain), Africa (Algeria, Libya), Asia (Indonesia), and the Americas (Argentina, Mexico).

4. Subjects: Most cave paintings depict animals such as bison, horses, deer, and mammoths. There are also human figures, symbols, and handprints. The specific meanings of these paintings remain a subject of debate among archaeologists and anthropologists.

5. Techniques: Prehistoric artists used various techniques, including drawing, painting, and engraving. Paints were made from natural materials like mineral pigments, ochres, burnt bone meal, and charcoal, mixed with water, blood, animal fats, or plant juices.

6. Famous Sites:

• Lascaux Cave, France: Known as the "Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art", the Lascaux caves house a significant number of paintings, most of which are over 17,000 years old.
• Altamira Cave, Spain: The Altamira cave paintings, made by Paleolithic people around 14,000 years ago, are renowned for their high quality and remarkable color preservation.
• Chauvet Cave, France: These caves contain some of the earliest known cave paintings, dating back to around 32,000 years ago. The quality, quantity, and preservation of the drawings led to the site's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

7. Purpose: The purpose of cave paintings is not clear; they may have served ritual or ceremonial purposes, or could have been a way to communicate or record events. Their exact significance remains a mystery.

8. Discovery and Study: Cave paintings have been discovered and studied since the early 19th century. However, many remain inaccessible to the public to preserve their integrity. Replicas, such as Lascaux II, have been created for public viewing and study.

9. Threats: Cave paintings are threatened by factors like climate change, human interference, and microbiological damage. Preservation of these invaluable pieces of human history remains a significant challenge for modern societies.

Objective: The project aims to enable students to better understand the context, techniques, and significance of prehistoric cave art by engaging them in a hands-on activity.

Materials Needed:

1. Large sheets of brown craft paper (or any material to simulate a cave wall)
2. Charcoal, earth-colored pastels, or natural pigment paints
3. Images of cave paintings for reference (available in textbooks or online resources)
4. Brushes or sponge (for applying pigments)

Procedure:

1. Research: Start by having the students research various cave paintings from different parts of the world. Discuss the themes, symbols, and techniques used, and what they might tell us about prehistoric life and beliefs.

2. Brainstorming: Students should brainstorm what they would like to portray in their own "cave paintings." Encourage them to think about how they would communicate important aspects of their lives or beliefs using only simple drawings and symbols, just like prehistoric people did.

3. Sketching: Before starting with the actual "cave painting," students should sketch their ideas on a piece of paper. This will help them organize their thoughts and decide on the layout.

4. Creating the Cave Painting: Once their sketches are ready, students can start transferring their designs onto the large sheets of craft paper using charcoal, pastels, or paints. Remind them to use simple lines and shapes, sticking to the style of authentic cave paintings.

5. Presentation: After the paintings are finished, have students present their work to the class. They should explain the symbols and scenes they chose, why they chose them, and how they relate to the themes observed in actual cave paintings.

6. Reflection: Finally, engage the students in a reflection about the process. What was challenging about communicating with images alone? How does this activity give them a deeper understanding and appreciation of the creativity and resourcefulness of prehistoric people?

This project will allow students to engage creatively with the subject matter, while also developing their understanding and appreciation of one of the earliest forms of human artistic expression.

1. Definition: Ancient Egyptian art refers to the style of painting, sculpture, crafts, and architecture developed by the civilization in the lower Nile Valley from 5000 BC to 300 AD.

2. Purpose: Much of the surviving art comes from tombs and monuments, suggesting its primary purpose was to preserve the values and legacy of the deceased for the afterlife.

3. Characteristics: Ancient Egyptian art is known for its distinctive figures, characterized by hierarchical proportions – meaning gods or political figures appear much larger than other figures. Figures are typically presented in a composite perspective, with heads and legs in profile, but torsos facing forward.

4. Hieroglyphs: The ancient Egyptian writing system, hieroglyphs, was often incorporated into the art. Hieroglyphs were used to represent sounds, concepts, and actions and were integral in decorating monuments and documents.

5. Colors: Color held symbolic meaning for the Egyptians. They commonly used six colors in their artworks: red (for chaos and disorder), black (for death and night), white (for purity), yellow (for eternity), blue (for the sky and water), and green (for fertility and rebirth).

6. Materials: Materials used in artwork included stone, wood, ceramics, and papyrus. Precious metals and semi-precious stones were used in jewelry and for decorating tombs and monuments of the royalty and nobility.

7. Famous Works:

• The Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza: Iconic architectural feats, these monuments were built as tombs and spiritual gateways for pharaohs.
• The Bust of Nefertiti: This sculpture is renowned for its grace and beauty. It was created by the sculptor Thutmose around 1345 BC.
• Tomb Paintings in the Valley of the Kings: These tombs house elaborate paintings depicting the journey of the pharaohs to the afterlife.
• Tutankhamun's Funeral Mask: This mask is a masterwork of Egyptian goldsmithing and lapidary art.

8. Dynastic Periods: Ancient Egyptian art is divided into several periods, including the Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BC), Middle Kingdom (2050-1650 BC), New Kingdom (1550-1050 BC), and the Late Period (664-332 BC).

9. Preservation: Many artworks have been remarkably well preserved due to Egypt's dry climate, providing invaluable insights into this ancient civilization.

10. Influence: Ancient Egyptian art has had a significant influence on other cultures and artistic traditions, and its iconic aesthetic remains recognizable and influential even today.

Objective:
To understand and appreciate the characteristics and themes of Ancient Egyptian art by creating your own artwork inspired by this style.

Materials Needed:
1. Drawing paper or papyrus if available
2. Colored pencils, crayons, or paints (especially red, blue, yellow, black, and white, which were commonly used in Ancient Egyptian art)
3. Reference images of Ancient Egyptian art

Instructions:

1. Research: Begin by researching Ancient Egyptian art. Look at different examples from various periods, such as the Old Kingdom, New Kingdom, and Late Period. Pay attention to the common themes, symbols, and characteristics.

2. Choose a Theme: Ancient Egyptian art often depicted gods, pharaohs, and daily life. Choose a theme for your artwork. It could be a portrait of a pharaoh, a scene from daily life, or a depiction of a god or goddess.

3. Plan Your Composition: Ancient Egyptian art is known for its hierarchical proportion, where the size of figures is based on their status. For example, pharaohs are often depicted as larger than other figures. Plan your composition keeping this in mind.

4. Use Hieroglyphs: If you want, you can incorporate hieroglyphs into your artwork. These were the written symbols used in Ancient Egypt, and they often appear in their art.

5. Create Your Artwork: Start drawing or painting your artwork. Remember, figures in Ancient Egyptian art were often depicted in a composite view, meaning heads and legs are shown in profile, while torsos are shown from the front. Use bold lines and flat areas of color.

6. Use Appropriate Colors: Ancient Egyptians used colors symbolically. For example, black represented the fertile soil of the Nile and was used to depict men, while yellow represented women's skin and the sun. Red symbolized chaos and was used for enemy figures.

7. Present Your Work: Once you've completed your artwork, present it to the class. Explain the theme of your artwork, the symbols you used, and how you incorporated the characteristics of Ancient Egyptian art.

Evaluation:
You will be evaluated on your understanding of Ancient Egyptian art characteristics, creativity, and the effort put into your artwork.

Remember, the goal of this project is not to create a perfect replica of Ancient Egyptian art, but to understand and appreciate the style and themes of this ancient civilization. Enjoy the process of creating your own artwork inspired by this fascinating period in art history!

1. Definition: Greek art refers to the artistic production of the Greek-speaking world from about 900 BC to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. Hellenistic art followed Greek art, and extends until the Romans absorbed Greece into their empire in 31 BC.

2. Greek Art Periods: Greek art is divided into several periods, including the Geometric (900-700 BC), Archaic (700-480 BC), Classical (480-323 BC), and the Hellenistic (323-31 BC) periods.

3. Characteristics of Greek Art: Greek art is renowned for its celebration of beauty, proportion, and the human form. It exhibits a clear interest in expressing human personality and emotion.

4. Sculpture: Greek sculpture evolved from small figurines to monumental size, and from stiff, simple forms to more complex, dynamic compositions. Greek sculptors were particularly concerned with proportion, poise, and the idealized beauty of the human body.

5. Pottery: Greek pottery is known for its decoration, particularly in the red- and black-figure techniques. The pots were also functional, serving various purposes in daily life.

6. Architecture: Greek architecture is characterized by its highly formalized characteristics, both of structure and decoration. The Greeks developed three architectural systems, called orders, each with their own distinctive proportions and detailing: the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.

7. Famous Works of Greek Art:

• Parthenon: This is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron.
• Discobolus by Myron: This is a famous sculpture that represents a discus thrower in action.
• Doryphoros by Polykleitos: A canon of ideal proportions in the sculpting of the male nude.

8. Hellenistic Art: Hellenistic art was created during an age of experimentation and increased cultural exchange. It emphasized theatricality, drama, and the detailed representation of subjects from across society, including women, children, and the poor.

9. Famous Works of Hellenistic Art:

• The Great Altar of Pergamon: This is a monumental construction built during the 2nd century BC in the ancient city of Pergamon (modern-day Turkey).
• Laocoön and His Sons: A large marble sculpture that represents the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents.
• The Venus de Milo: This sculpture is believed to represent Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

10. Legacy: Greek and Hellenistic art had a profound impact on the Roman Empire and later periods, such as the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Today, the influence of Greek and Hellenistic art continues to be seen in the global art community.
 

Objective:
To understand and appreciate the architectural style and elements of Ancient Greek temples by designing your own temple, complete with a floor plan and exterior sketches.

Materials Needed:
1. Graph paper for creating floor plans
2. Drawing paper for sketches
3. Pencils, erasers, and colored pencils or markers
4. Rulers or straight edges
5. Reference images and resources on Ancient Greek architecture

Instructions:

1. Research: Begin by researching Ancient Greek temples. Look at different examples and understand the common elements, such as the use of columns (Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian), the structure (including the pronaos, naos/cella, and opisthodomos), and the decorative elements (like friezes and pediments).

2. Choose a God or Goddess: Ancient Greek temples were often dedicated to a specific god or goddess. Choose a deity for your temple and consider how the design might reflect their characteristics or mythology.

3. Plan Your Temple: As a group, discuss and decide on the layout of your temple. Draw a floor plan on graph paper, ensuring you include all the key areas of a Greek temple. Remember to consider the function of each area.

4. Design the Exterior: Sketch the exterior of your temple. Consider the type of columns you will use, the design of the pediment, and any friezes or other decorative elements. Remember, symmetry and proportion are key elements of Greek architecture.

5. Add Details: Once you have the basic design, add details that reflect the god or goddess your temple is dedicated to. This could be in the form of statues, reliefs, or specific symbols associated with the deity.

6. Present Your Design: Once your design is complete, present it to the class. Explain the choices you made, the deity your temple is dedicated to, and how your design reflects the characteristics of Ancient Greek architecture.

Evaluation:
You will be evaluated on your understanding of Ancient Greek architecture, the thoughtfulness of your design, and your ability to work as a team.

Remember, the goal of this project is not to create a perfect replica of an Ancient Greek temple, but to understand and appreciate the architectural style and elements of these iconic structures. Enjoy the process of creating your own temple design!

1. Definition: Roman art refers to the visual arts made in Ancient Rome and in the territories of the Roman Empire, spanning from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD.

2. Influences: Roman art was heavily influenced by Greek art, Etruscan art, and art from various parts of the Empire including Egypt and Persia.

3. Characteristics: Roman art is often characterized by its practicality and emphasis on realism and detail. While it shares the focus on the human form with Greek art, Roman artists were more interested in portraying realistic, individualized character, and everyday life.

4. Sculpture: Roman sculpture includes portraiture, historical relief, funerary reliefs, sarcophagi, and statues. While borrowing from Greek sculpture (particularly the Hellenistic period), Roman sculptors emphasized realistic, emotional, and dynamic representations.

5. Mosaics and Paintings: Romans decorated their homes with wall paintings and floor mosaics. They often depicted scenes from mythology, history, and everyday life, as well as landscapes and still lifes.

6. Architecture: Roman architecture utilized a new type of design based on the arch and dome, along with concrete, which were not prevalent in Greek architecture. Notable structures include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman aqueducts.

7. Famous Works:

• The Colosseum: This is the largest amphitheater ever built, used for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.
• The Pantheon: This temple dedicated to all the gods of pagan Rome is considered one of the best preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings and has been in continuous use throughout its history.
• Augustus of Prima Porta: A statue of Augustus Caesar which is one of the most famous pieces of Roman sculpture.

8. Frescoes: Roman murals, or frescoes, were painted with watercolors on wet plaster and were often used to mimic architectural features or natural views.

9. End of Roman Art: With the decline of the Roman Empire, the traditional forms of Roman art evolved into new styles, often called Early Christian or Byzantine art.

10. Legacy: Roman art has had a significant impact on Western art, influencing the Renaissance, Neoclassical, and even contemporary art styles. Roman architecture, in particular, has had a profound influence on building practices throughout history.

1. Definition: Buddhist and Hindu art encompass the visual arts related to the religious practices of Buddhism and Hinduism, originating in the Indian subcontinent, and spreading across Asia over centuries.

2. Buddhist Art:

• Early Buddhist Art (Aniconic Phase): In the earliest phase, the Buddha was represented through symbols such as the Bodhi tree, an empty throne, footprints, or the wheel of Dharma.
• Iconic Phase: From the 1st century CE onwards, the Buddha was represented in human form.
• Major Schools: The two major schools of Buddhist art are the Gandhara School (Greco-Buddhist art) and the Mathura School. Other notable styles include the Amaravati style, and the Sinhalese and Thai styles of Southeast Asia.

3. Hindu Art:

• Hindu art is rich and varied, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Its depictions are deeply intertwined with the religion, portraying deities, mythology, and symbols of Hindu philosophy.
• The most prominent art forms include sculptures, architecture, and paintings, with significant regional variations across India and Southeast Asia.

4. Shared Characteristics: Both Buddhist and Hindu art are characterized by intricate symbolism, narrative scenes from the religious texts, and a focus on depicting spiritual and philosophical concepts.

5. Sculpture: In both Buddhist and Hindu art, sculptures of deities and religious figures are common, often created for temples. These are typically made of stone, bronze, or terracotta.

6. Architecture: Temples are a significant aspect of both Buddhist and Hindu art. Buddhist stupas and pagodas, and Hindu temples, are decorated with narrative relief sculptures, and are often accompanied by large sculptural programs.

7. Famous Works:

Buddhist Art:

• The Great Stupa at Sanchi, India: One of the oldest stone structures in India.
• The Bamiyan Buddhas, Afghanistan: Once the largest statues of standing Buddha, carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamiyan valley.

Hindu Art:

• Kailasa Temple, Ellora, India: The world's largest monolithic rock-cut temple.
• The Nataraja. Nataraja, meaning "the lord of dance," is a depiction of the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic dancer. The statue represents Shiva's cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Shiva is shown with four arms, in which he holds a drum (symbolizing creation), a flame (destruction), and makes gestures of fearlessness and pointing towards his uplifted foot (symbolizing preservation and liberation).

8. Painting: Both Buddhist and Hindu traditions have a rich history of religious painting, including the Buddhist Thangka painting tradition and Indian miniature painting in the Hindu context.

9. Performative Arts: Dance, drama, and music are integral to Hindu and Buddhist religious expression and have contributed to distinct performative arts traditions, such as Bharatanatyam in Hindu culture and masked dances in Vajrayana Buddhism.

10. Legacy: Buddhist and Hindu art have had significant influences on the art of Southeast Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, and Indonesia. They continue to shape contemporary art within these religious traditions.

1. Definition: Byzantine art refers to the body of Christian Greek artistic products of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, as well as the nations and states that inherited culturally from the empire. It flourished between the 4th century to the mid-15th century AD.

2. Influences: Byzantine art is characterized by a fusion of Roman, Hellenistic, and Middle Eastern artistic traditions.

3. Characteristics: Byzantine art is known for its abstract, symbolic nature, extensive use of gold and rich colors, detailed mosaic works, and a focus on religious themes. Figures in Byzantine artworks often have a flat, two-dimensional appearance.

4. Iconoclasm: The period from 726 to 843 is known as the Iconoclastic Controversy, where religious images were banned and destroyed. After the prohibition ended, there was a significant revival of icon painting and mosaics.

5. Iconography: Byzantine art introduced many of the conventions of Christian iconography, such as halos and specific color associations for significant figures.

6. Mosaics and Frescoes: Mosaics and frescoes are significant forms of Byzantine art, often decorating the interiors of domed churches. These artworks featured biblical scenes and figures.

7. Architecture: Byzantine architecture is known for its central-plan buildings (structures symmetrically arranged around a central point), often in a cross-in-square plan. The most famous architectural feat is the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

8. Famous Works:

• The Hagia Sophia: Once a church, later a mosque, and now a museum, the Hagia Sophia is known for its massive dome and luxurious interior decorations.
• The Pammakaristos Mosaics: These mosaics are an exquisite example of late Byzantine artistry, with detailed depictions of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints.
• The Chora Church Mosaics and Frescoes: These intricate works depict scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

9. Manuscripts: Illuminated manuscripts, where text is supplemented by the use of decoration or illustration, were a significant form of artistic expression in the Byzantine Empire, most notably the Gospel books.

10. Legacy: Byzantine art has had a profound influence on the Orthodox Christian world and continues to inspire modern architecture, icon painting, and mosaics.