the argument for/against the 'goddess theory' went all through the last century Gimbulatas wrote about it, was picked up as a feminist argument about 'tranquil matriachial neolithic societies', there is no evidence either way, male and female are probably equally represented in the art work, and 'sex 'is definitely portrayed on a lot of cave/rock drawings. Now how you interpret these 'venuses' as a fertility symbol/mother goddess/ mother earth etc is down to theory.. a subjective response, could equally have been a doll figure, a shrine figure representing something else, a medicine amulet etc. Of the two 'goddess' figures that was found in this country, one is suspect at Grimes Graves, the other was called a god dolly (its hermaphrodite) found on the Somerset levels date 6000 years old...... Up on Windmill Hill Neolithic phalluses and chalk balls were found, can be read as ritual objects but could equally be someone whittling away with a piece of flint one sunny afternoon. I'm on Ronald Hutton's side on this one, there has been a modern day 'Venus' mythology constructed, it could be true but you need more evidence..
But on the other hand Michael Dame just as easily presents a lucid interpretation of the 'earth mother' and a lot of what he says is valid...
 Reply | with quote | Posted by moss
18th May 2009ce
08:00 |
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Re: Ancient Figurine of Voluptuous Woman Is Found (Zariadris)