Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

Interpretation of Neolithic Figurine Art

 

INTRODUCTION - EARLY HUMAN THOUGHT


The stupendous human capability for learning distinguishes man from the rest of all genuses. In Early Prehistory, the evolution of his concept of the world’s function and of his own place in it can be traced through the collection of artifacts that reflect his creative imagination. Human mind, thought and behaviour are approached by Cognitive Science, in which a group of other sciences are involved.

According to many scholars, mental functions, ideas and language are directly connected to depictive art, consequently evaluation of archaeological data is the first stage for the research on mental evolution. Great attention must be given though to resemblances between ancient and modern practices, the latter being eventually delusive because time may have changed man’s concept of surrounding things and their meaning.

From the aspect of Molecular Biology, it is believed that man has a genetically codified memory and a cumulative experience activated by a stimulus and permitting him to give meaning to his dreams which are then projected as concrete depictions. This process has been the cause for the discrimination of the genus Homo from all other genuses.

Τechnological achievements used by man in order to subject Nature to his needs and survive, group acceptance of concepts, as well as communication through practices and symbols constituted the basis for his realizing of the uncontrolled and for his further worshiping / religious behaviour.

Human capability for analogue thought permitted his communication through visible or invisible symbols. Archaeological research attempts to identify and interpret them, with the great assistance of plastic arts.

Introduction| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3