S26-41 Art101A Caves to Pyramids: The Dawn of Human Artistic Expression
Class | Registration opens 3/2/2026 9:00 AM EST
Journey through humanity’s first 25,000 years of art-making, from the earliest cave paintings to the architectural wonders of ancient Egypt. We’ll explore why Paleolithic humans felt compelled to leave their mark on cave walls, how the agricultural revolution transformed artistic production in Mesopotamia, and what inspired the Egyptians to create monuments designed to outlast everything (mission accomplished). Trace the evolution from handprints in Lascaux to the Great Pyramid of Giza, examining how art reflected emerging concepts of religion, power, and daily life. We’ll decode ancient symbols, analyze architectural innovations, and marvel at how our ancestors achieved the seemingly impossible with Bronze Age technology and questionable workplace safety standards
Michael Stein
Michael Stein PhD fell in love with the art, architecture (and food) of the capital of France on his first trip to Paris in 1965. During more than 30 subsequent visits he photographed the monuments, churches, museums (and pastries) of Paris to supplement his lectures. For more than five decades, Professor Stein taught both studio art and art history at Kent State University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, Wilkes University, and Housatonic Community College.