Creating art is one of the single factors that distinguish humans from animal species. Through art, human beings are able to express their innermost ideas and feelings, without having the difficulty of searching for the correct words to accurately describe their mental processes. Works of art can help us understand the people who came before us. This is demonstrated by the knowledge humans have discovered of prehistoric humans and their symbolic cave paintings. The expression, style and meaning vary, and archaeologists have put a lot of effort into uncovering these works. The first evidence of rock art appeared in Western Europe (Berenguer 67). Early cave paintings were characteristic of Western art. They were supported by keen vision, deep expressiveness, enormous personality, and detailed execution (Berenguer 68). The art first appeared in the form of sculpture, later moving on to carvings on cave walls. Eventually, this led to experimentation with colors, eventually evolving into paintings (Berenguer 69). In addition to adorning cave walls, prehistoric men also painted rock surfaces and cave floors. How the paintings were made (the tools used, what minerals were used to make the pigments) does not necessarily reveal very important information about their meaning. Furthermore, the placement of the paintings reveals material crucial to understanding (Curtis 142). Originally the paintings were gathered at the entrance to the caves, but over time they were moved further inside. This reveals that these paintings were not necessarily masterpieces, but deeper and more personal expressions. The paintings towards the front of the caves often indicated and pointed towards an inner sanctuary, acting as a reminder (Berengu...... center of card ...... at fat. Scientists believe the paintings were drawn 15,000 to 17,000 years ago (Sayre 13). The motivations behind the cave paintings of prehistoric men will probably always remain a mystery since we do not have adequate documentation of their incentives, inspirations or practices conflicting with each other we can begin to understand their lives and how they lived them. Works Cited Berenguer, Magín Prehistoric Man and His Art: The Caves of Ribadesella, NJ:. Noyes Press, 1975. Print.Curtis, Gregory. investigating the mysteries of the world's first artists New York: Knopf, 2006. Print. Sayre, Henry M. Cave Paintings to Picasso: The Inside Scoop on 50 Masterpieces of Art San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2004. Print.