During the end of the Paleolithic Age, specifically the Middle or Upper Paleolithic Age, humans began to produce the earliest works of art and to engage in religious or spiritual behavior such as burial and ritual. Humankind gradually evolved from early members of the genus Homo-such as Homo habilis, who used simple stone tools-into anatomically modern humans as well as behaviourally modern humans by the Upper Paleolithic. Archaeologists classify artifacts of the last 50,000 years into many different categories, such as projectile points, engraving tools, knife blades, and drilling and piercing tools. The first evidence of human fishing is also noted, from artifacts in places such as Blombos cave in South Africa. In Africa, bone artifacts and the first art appear in the archaeological record. Other organic commodities were adapted for use as tools, including leather and vegetable fibers however, due to rapid decomposition, these have not survived to any great degree.Ībout 50,000 years ago a marked increase in the diversity of artifacts occurred. The Paleolithic Age is characterized by the use of knapped stone tools, although at the time humans also used wood and bone tools. During the Paleolithic Age, hominins grouped together in small societies such as bands and subsisted by gathering plants, fishing, and hunting or scavenging wild animals. The Paleolithic Age in Europe preceded the Mesolithic Age, although the date of the transition varies geographically by several thousand years. It extends from the earliest known use of stone tools by hominins c. 3.3 million years ago, to the end of the Pleistocene c. 11,650 cal BP. This rich and decorative practice and culture continues to dominate tribes in all areas of the continent while it makes its way west.The Paleolithic or Palaeolithic or Palæolithic ( / ˌ p eɪ l-, ˌ p æ l i oʊ ˈ l ɪ θ ɪ k/), also called the Old Stone Age (from Greek palaios - old, lithos - stone), is a period in prehistory distinguished by the original development of stone tools that covers c. 99% of the period of human technological prehistory. While the types of pigment, body jewelry and application methods vary widely between the two cultures, there is no denying the fact that this history has changed hands.Įvidence of African body art has been found dating back thousands of years. Scarification as a form of body alteration in the United States and is beginning to gain momentum as an alternative to tattooing.īody painting and face painting have long become a more mainstream type of decoration for events such as children's parties in the west while the practice continues to dwindle amongst tribes in Africa. While scarification was once widespread through many African tribes, it can now be found only in pockets. What is most interesting is the fact that as many tribes begin to leave behind the practice of body decoration, these body arts are beginning to grow in popularity in the Western world. Body painting, face painting, henna tattoos, scarification and body piercings can all be traced to African body art. Many traditions and types of beautification and body decoration we practice today can be traced back to African tribal roots.
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