Tiny objects writ large: the private world of ice age art made public

Mithen, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3391-7443 (2013) Tiny objects writ large: the private world of ice age art made public. World Art, 3 (2). pp. 175-187. ISSN 2150-0908 doi: 10.1080/21500894.2013.825312

Abstract/Summary

Ice Age Art: Arrival of the Modern Mind was an exhibition at the British Museum from 27 February to 2 June 2013 exhibiting sculptures and engravings from the Ice Age of Europe and Eurasia, 40,000–10,000 years ago. It was accompanied by a lavishly illustrated book by Jill Cook with the same title, published by the British Museum Press. The exhibition was a sell-out, attracting considerable coverage in the press. Here I reflect critically on some aspects of the exhibition, exploring what such a display might tell us about ice age life, the modern mind and our present-day approach to displaying such objects.