<P> The earliest human artifacts showing evidence of workmanship with an artistic purpose are the subject of some debate . It is clear that such workmanship existed by 40,000 years ago in the Upper Paleolithic era , but there is evidence of artistic activity dating as far back as 500,000 years ago performed by Homo erectus . From the Upper Palaeolithic through the to the Mesolithic , cave paintings and portable art such as figurines and beads predominated , with decorative figured workings also seen on some utilitarian objects . In the Neolithic evidence of early pottery appeared , as did sculpture and the construction of megaliths . Early rock art also first appeared during this period . The advent of metalworking in the Bronze Age brought additional media available for use in making art , an increase in stylistic diversity , and the creation of objects that did not have any obvious function other than art . It also saw the development in some areas of artisans , a class of people specializing in the production of art , as well as early writing systems . By the Iron Age , civilizations with writing had arisen from Ancient Egypt to Ancient China . </P>
<P> The earliest human artifacts showing evidence of workmanship with an artistic purpose are the subject of some debate . It is clear that such workmanship existed by 40,000 years ago in the Upper Paleolithic era , but there is evidence of artistic activity dating as far back as 500,000 years ago performed by Homo erectus . From the Upper Palaeolithic through the to the Mesolithic , cave paintings and portable art such as figurines and beads predominated , with decorative figured workings also seen on some utilitarian objects . In the Neolithic evidence of early pottery appeared , as did sculpture and the construction of megaliths . Early rock art also first appeared during this period . The advent of metalworking in the Bronze Age brought additional media available for use in making art , an increase in stylistic diversity , and the creation of objects that did not have any obvious function other than art . It also saw the development in some areas of artisans , a class of people specializing in the production of art , as well as early writing systems . By the Iron Age , civilizations with writing had arisen from Ancient Egypt to Ancient China . </P>
paleolithic art including cave art and portable art began during what period
paleolithic art including cave art and portable art began during what period
Upper Palaeolithic
Upper Palaeolithic