L'émergence de l'art en zone nord-méditerranéenne

The appearance of art in the northern Mediterranean region happens in a progressive manner, as early as the arrival of modern man in Neanderthal territory. At a first stage around 45 ka BP, art is born with the preparation of objects used as body ornaments (pierced teeth and shells) and non-figurative decorated objects. At a secondary stage, around 35 ka BP, we witness the appearance of figurative art in the form of statuettes, in the High Danube region, and in the form of schematic paintings in Venetia. The final stage, around 32 ka BP, succeeds in the realisation of grand sanctuaries in caves where animals and symbols are represented in a complex and structured composition. The artistic evolution appears in relation with an attempt of explanation and symbolic domination of frightening natural forces and of laws that govern the world.