The Neolithic Period: A Cultural Analysis

In any culture, there has to be an established hierarchy, otherwise the society would not be existed. One of the most common ways to see the past cultures’ hierarchies is through their arts. The artifacts can indeed tell the viewers how one culture’s society was constructed and how it reflected issues such as religious ceremonies, military establishments, and economic systems. For several period, such as Neolithic, early Old Kingdom Egypt, and Akkad, it is crucial to look at their artworks in order to see what their society is about.
The Neolithic Period was the stepping stone for more complexity in terms of techniques. When talking about this period, the first thing comes up to people’s mind is Stonehenge. Locates in Salisbury, England, it
Its size and the fact that it was decorated on both sides indicated it is for a ceremonial use instead for daily makeup use. The images were in shallow relief through a technique called bas relief. It shows the victory of King Narmer of the southern kingdom of Egypt over the northern kingdom on one side and on the other side, it shows his unification of the two lands. The top of the palette is decorated similarly on both sides: the name of the king is inscribed between two bovine heads. The animals’ heads are drawn from the front, which is unusual in the later Egyptian art. There are many interpretations for the animals’ heads. It is possible that the animals are related to a cow goddess or bat, but it is also possible that the animals are bulls and that they refer to a bull-like vigor of the king. On the back side of the palette, it shows the king about to strike down a foe, whom he grabs by the hair. The king is wearing a skirt decorated with bovine heads and an animal’s tail, possibly a bull’s tail. He wears the White Crown, which is associated with Upper Egypt. Narmer’s victim is shown kneeling in front of him. He is represented as naked, which indicated that he is a barbaric. Above the victim’s head is a falcon, which without a doubt, a symbol of the king. The hook in which the falcon appears to be pulling symbolizes the breath of life that it takes out of the
One of the prime example is the Stele of Naram-sin. Over six feet tall, it was carved in pink limestone with bas relief technique. Instead of both sides like the Palette of Narmer, the Stele of Naram-sin was carved on one side. This stele shows Naram-sin, the king, leads a victorious army defeating an enemy on the mountain side. The soldiers are shown very structured and aligned, which indicated a strong and strict military base. King Naram-sin is shown as the biggest figure, which tells the viewers that he is the most prominent figure. He is also depicted by showing no mercy to his enemies. One of the victim pleas for his life on the top right as he runs from Naram-sin because the king is shown stepping on dead bodies of the Lullubi people after kicking off another off the mountain. In contrast of the organized Akkadians, the Lullubi people are shown as a disorganized chaotic mess. Not to mention, Naram-sin’s horned helmet indicated that he is in fact a