Jean Clottes is a prominent French archaeologist and former general inspector for archaeology and scientific advisor for prehistoric art at the French Ministry of Culture. He is the author of Cave Art, among other books. Oliver Y. Martin is a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Robert D. Martin is curator emeritus in the Integrative Research Center at the Field Museum, Chicago.
"Clottes is the leading Paleolithic archaeologist and perhaps the
most famous archaeologist in the world. This alone makes What Is
Paleolithic Art? noteworthy. But the topic is also one that
generates interest beyond the archaeological profession, especially
inasmuch as his expansive discussion emphasizes shamanism as the
likely origin for this art, and partly bases this conclusion on
comparisons and analogies with ethnographic cases. . . . Very
readable and appealing."--David S. Whitley, author of "Cave
Paintings and the Human Spirit: The Origin of Creativity and
Belief"
"Clottes's Pourquoi l'art prehistorique? has at long last been
translated into English. . . . In this latest offering he tackles
the question of 'why' not just 'what.' This is a great leap for
most archaeologists, who prefer to describe what they can see and
hold in their hands, rather than the nebulous realms of dreams and
thoughts behind the works. Stepping beyond the traditional realm of
archaeology, Clottes takes the reader on a worldwide journey from
well-known Ice Age sites such as Chauvet and Lascaux to the work of
contemporary aboriginal artists, tracing some of the earliest
examples of human creativity in the shamanistic tradition of Homo
spiritualis (man the spiritual being) rather than homo faber (man
the toolmaker). Though not all readers will agree with the author's
interpretation of the shamanistic art of rock art, the theory is
credible. This readable and appealing translation is a must for
those serious about archaeology or art history. Essential."--A.
Wirkkala, NHTI, Concord's Community College "Choice"
"It is shamanism that, according to Clottes, is the key to
understanding the Paleolithic practices of what he calls Homo
spiritualis, who chose to descend into the underworld, seek a
trance state, and enter into contact with spirits."-- "Le Monde, on
the French edition"
"Subtle, imaginative, and brilliantly accomplished, the images of
animals and humans found in caves and dated from the end of the
last Ice Age, between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago, continue to
astonish us. The emotions and motives that inspired them beg to be
understood. In What is Paleolithic Art?, Clottes, the renowned
cave- and rock-art specialist, suggests some answers. . . . This is
a thought-provoking book about complex societies that endeavored to
understand the world in their own various ways. For anyone
interested in Ice Age art, Clottes's enthusiasm cannot fail to
energize, inspire, and provide caution to their own
investigations."--Jill Cook, British Museum "Nature"
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