Female figurines outnumber representations of males in the Paleolithic era. Describe these figurines and explain what possible function these sculptures served and what this situation suggests about the role that women played in Paleolithic and Neolithic culture.
What will be an ideal response?
The ideal answer should include:
- A description of the figurines: 4 to 5 inches high, exaggerated breast and bellies, and clearly delineated genitals.
- May have served as a form of nonverbal communication of shared values and ideals.
- Femaleness and the woman's body was a symbolic of fertility, and their presence in Paleolithic art was believed to perpetuate life-affirming concepts of womanhood and to signify that women played a key role in the culture.
- The frequent use of female imagery suggests that fertility had religious and spiritual significance.
- Paleolithic and Neolithic culture may have been matrilineal, and the female figures bridged the hunter/gather cultures with later farming practices through fertility and sustaining life.
- Recent findings have also suggested that the Neolithic female figures were more than fertility goddesses, and perhaps symbolized the transition from life to death.
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The Tomb of the Triclinium at Tarquinia exemplifies Etruscan art in its __________.
A. mud-brick rooms that are constructed around a central courtyard, or atrium B. low relief panels that depict victory celebrations and members of the imperial family C. colorful wall paintings that feature dancers and banqueters who engage in joyful activities D. terra-cotta sculptures of gods that were placed on the roof ridge of the tomb's façade
What is the name of the hybrid style represented in the Gateway of India (24-14), which features European and South Asian elements of design?
A. Indo-Saracenic B. Indo-Eurasian C. South Asian-English D. English-Malaysian
How do dramatic characters reflect the era and culture in which they were created?
What will be an ideal response?
When did the search for a distinct American music identity arguably begin?
A. early nineteenth century B. late nineteenth century C. early twentieth century D. just after WWII (1945)