Prehistoric Art

Delve into art history and human evolution, tracing our ancient drive to create from torchlit caves to glowing screens. This evocative chronicle bypasses elite catalogues to reveal a grounded, deeply human story of innovation. You will meet the anonymous weavers, carvers, and everyday...

Over more than 25 years of teaching and research, Christine Desdemaines-Hugon has become an unrivaled expert in the cave art and artists of the Dordogne region. In Stepping-Stones she combines her expertise in both art and archaeology to convey an intimate understanding of the "cave experience." Her keen insights communicate not only the incomparable artistic value of these works but also the near-spiritual impact of viewing them for oneself.

What made Homo sapiens the unique species we are today? Imagine a time when humans lived as simple survivalists—focused on hunting, gathering, and basic needs. Fast forward to today, and we’re creators, innovators, and storytellers, able to share and shape complex ideas through art, language, and culture. But how did this transformation unfold? In The Quiet Rise of Homo Sapiens: How Creativity Emerged, you'll embark on a journey that traces the slow evolution of Homo sapiens from primal survivalists to the symbolic thinkers we are today. Why did it take so long for humans to develop art...

Explore breathtaking prehistoric art and solve ancient archaeological mysteries from the depths of the Late Ice Age. Perfect for an educational morning commute, this engaging narrative transports curious history buffs straight into the underground chambers of 1940s France. Experience the thrill...

The legendary Pablo Picasso once paid a visit to the legendary Altamira Caves, located near the town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Spain. There, he viewed the ancient cave paintings, deemed to be among the most sophisticated examples in the world. He summarized the visit by saying, “After Altamira, all is decadence,”[1] suggesting a purity in early man that modern people have apparently lost. Other lesser-known artists, psychologists and various scientists have dismissed even the best of the Paleolithic cave painters.

Unearth the accidental discovery of a hidden underground world where prehistoric art forever changed human history. In the shadowy hills of 1940s rural France, ordinary schoolboys stumbled upon an Ice Age masterpiece. This vivid historical narrative pulls you straight into the cavernous depths...

A giant boardwalk has been resurrected high up in the Indonesian rainforest canopy, offering guests stunning, spectacular, and unparalleled views of the rainforest. However, the boardwalk is incomplete and in need of more funding. The creator, John Corstine, assembles a group of potential investors for a weekend tour of the boardwalk. Little do they know that high up in the rainforest canopy, they are being watched, but more importantly, they are not alone.

“This in-depth, beautifully illustrated biography of Mary Anning sings with the passion and perseverance of the woman herself, who from girlhood on scoured the shifting cliffs of her native Dorset to dig out prehistoric mysteries and make sense of them—altering forever our view of the past...

Descend into a mysterious subterranean world where deep geology and ancient history collide in absolute darkness. Perfect for your daily commute or focused learning, this immersive natural science adventure transforms a routine listening session into a thrilling expedition. Feel the awe of...

Explore a breathtaking archaeological mystery and witness the dawn of human creativity in the depths of the Ice Age. Transport yourself to the atmospheric landscapes of prehistoric France, where nomadic hunter-gatherers left behind a stunning visual language. Perfect for a focused commute or a...

This is the fascinating story of music. How it started with a song and became one of our most beloved arts. Learn how early composers added modal rhythm to religious chants and turned them into something greater. Discover how the printing press standardized music and helped it spread across the globe. Witness the birth of musical theater, opera, and classical music and the explosion of popular freeform music such as rhapsodies and preludes.

Let’s go back thousands of years to the Ice Age and prehistoric times before written history. We hear music coming from inside the prehistoric hut. What do you think is the oldest musical instrument in human history? Did prehistoric people have other musical instruments? Find the answers to these questions and more....