Prehistoric erotica
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | :''[[prehistory]], [[prehistoric art]], [[erotica]], [[primitive promiscuity]]'' | + | :''[[prehistory]], [[prehistoric art]], [[erotica]], [[primitive promiscuity]], [[fertility rite]], [[prehistoric religion]]'' |
| :''[[Venus figurines]], [[Venus of Willendorf]], [[cave painting]], [[Lascaux]], [[Shaft of the Dead Man]]'' | :''[[Venus figurines]], [[Venus of Willendorf]], [[cave painting]], [[Lascaux]], [[Shaft of the Dead Man]]'' | ||
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Among the oldest surviving examples of erotic depictions are Paleolithic cave paintings and carvings. Some of the more common images are of animals, hunting scenes and depictions of human genitalia (thought to be fertility symbols). Nude human beings with exaggerated sexual characteristics are depicted in some Paleolithic paintings and artifacts (e.g. Venus figurines). Recently discovered cave art at Creswell Crags in England, thought to be more than 12,000 years old, includes some symbols that may be stylized versions of female genitalia. However there is no indication that these were made for erotic stimulation, so it is far more likely that these were objects used in religious rituals. Archaeologists in Germany reported in April 2005 that they had found what they believe is a 7,200-year-old scene depicting a male figurine bending over a female figurine in a manner suggestive of sexual intercourse. The male figure has been named Adonis von Zschernitz. However, it is not certain that the purpose of these artifacts was individual sexual arousal. Instead, the images may have had a spiritual significance and are probably connected with fertility rituals.
