hello,
I wonder if anyone else was interested in those areas:
Prehistory: cave art; portable art; prehistoric rituals including shamanism; Neolithic Goddess worship (Venus sculptures about 28 000 - 3000 years old).
I wonder if anyone has read any books about the Minoan and Maltese sacred sites, Catal Huyuk, or Western Europe prehistoric sites...
here is a Group that might interest some of you (look at the pictures of the different archeological finds...):
RE: Prehistory / caves / shamanism?
Hi Fadette
My interest is Lepenski Vir (7000-4800BC approx) It's famous for the fish-like sculptures.
[link= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepenski_Vir ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepenski_Vir[/link]
[link= http://solair.eunet.yu/~lepenski/ ]http://solair.eunet.yu/~lepenski/[/link]
RE: Prehistory / caves / shamanism?
hello Luna,
I had a look at both web pages and it really looks interesting; I think I have seen one of these sculptures somewhere before.
Actually, when viewing the second link, the top left image seems to have a V shape at the bottom, like the representation of the female sex in so many other art pieces...and this expression of grinning also reminded me the Sheelanagig of Irish churches which apprently are prehistoric pagan art.
I have noticeda recurrence in prehistoric settlements and art sites: they very often on the side of or near a river. Prehistoric rock carving in Portugal are all placed along a river, the French (oldest in the world) cave paintings and found remains are allalonside a river, in many cases surrounded by high cliffs in a gorge....
coincidence? necessity to shelter oneself from the wind or other people? what about the river? why not the sea or a lake? for drinking/washing purposes only?
have you been there?
RE: Prehistory / caves / shamanism?
Hi Fadette
I went there many years ago. It's right by the Danube, in Serbia, very closeto the Romanian border I think. Incredibly beautiful.
My archaeological knowledge isn't what it used to be, but, settlements thiswere beside rivers for many reasons - water, fish,communication/trading links, religion, nearby woodland and so more food, etc. As for settlements of comparable date on/beside lakes, I'm sure there must be - all I can think of at the moment are the Scottish and Irish crannogs and they are a bit later.
If you're interested,there are a couple of good books on Lepenski Vir - let me know if you want be to dig out the titles for you.
Luna
RE: Prehistory / caves / shamanism?
yes that would be really nice from you. ?Could you please choose one that is goes directly to the matter...well the art/religious on mainly (I have opened/read many books that can be works of art as far as the writing goes but are quite removed from what I cared most about!).
Can I ask you: why do you like this culture more than any other? what is so special? the sculptures? was it the site when you visited it?
I also can give you titles of books filled with religious art like this, dating from the prehistory....if you want.
On the link I have pasted on my first post, if you click, it goes to my Yahoo group (completely deserted! looks like noone is interested in that matter) and The Venus de Laurel (rock scuplture of a woman holding a horn on her side) is a mind-blowing example of very intense religious beliefs long long long ago: 25 000 years BC! That carving was actually on the entrance of a cave. I think it was murder to cut it out of its temple...anyway.