Cave Painting

                       Cave Painting
   Prehistoric painting probably served a more meaningful role than just showing vivid scenes from daily life. They may have represented religious beliefs. Early artists may have also hoped their images had magical power that would bring hunters good luck. Perhaps some paintings acted as a kind of textbook to help young hunters identify various animals. The use of pictures to communicate information represents an important first in the development of writing.
    In Algeria, farming and herding gradually replaced hunting as a means of getting food. This African cave painting from Algeria shows women and children tending cattle. The white rings - symbols for huts - illustrate an early version of signs used in writing.
    In Australia, this rock painting features two humanlike figures holding up their hands. Early artists used stencils to create these outstretched hands, which commonly appear in Australian rock art.
    In France, stampeding wild horses and bison seem to come alive in this prehistoric painting below from Lascaux Cave in France. After viewing such striking scenes, the world-famous, 20th-century artist Picasso reportely said, "We have learned nothing."
   

   Question
  What do you think is the purpose of each of these paintings?