sexual act representation in lithic art

@rtefact pictorial atlas

virtual laboratory for archaeometry 


The discovery, which occured during the metal ages, of the role of the biological father in procreation and which fostered the paradigmatic change from matrifocal to patriarchal society splits art into two distinct periods: before Iron Age, i.e. where sexual acts had nothing to do with pregnancy, and since Iron Age, where sexual acts might sometimes be related to pregnancy.

 

1. Sexual act representations prior to Iron Age

Cave of Addaura (Sicily) : 120 centuries ago (Mesolithic)

Scene with homosexual act

sxc4.jpg (15633 bytes)        

 sxc5.jpg (7606 bytes)

Castelluccio (Sicily) :    37 ± 2 centuries ago (Neolithic)
Tomb's doors decorated with sexual act patterns

 sxc1.jpg (18724 bytes)

    sxc3.jpg (8998 bytes)         sxc2.jpg (11086 bytes)

 

Helanshan (Ninxia) : Neolithic

sxxa.jpg (17291 bytes)

sxxc.jpg (16468 bytes)     sxxb.jpg (16711 bytes)

 


2. Sexual act representations since Iron Age

Foppe di Nadro (Valcamonica)

tactigraphy: L. Dubal

Coren del Valento (Valcamonica)

Raymond Christinger interpreted this zoophilic scene as the power show of a tribal chief


Hommage à Christinger / photo Dubal



Villa Amerina (Sicily) :   16 centuries ago (Roman period )

sxxd.jpg (22500 bytes)

click for representation of sexual act in terra cotta


click for representation of sexual act in Chinese painting


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01/24/04 11:38