Venus Figurines

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Cover of Volume: Anthropos Volume 116 (2021), Edition 1
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Internationale Zeitschrift für Völker- und Sprachenkunde

Volume 116 (2021), Edition 1

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Nomos, Baden-Baden
Publication year
2021
ISSN-Online
2942-3139
ISSN-Print
0257-9774

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Volume 116 (2021), Edition 1

Venus Figurines

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Authors:
ISSN-Print
0257-9774
ISSN-Online
2942-3139
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In this article, the working of certain bodily processes is presented as the basis for the apotropaic meaning and function of the genitals of the Upper Palaeolithic Venus Figurines. The working of the sympathetic nervous system is identified as the cause of genital arousal due to anxiety. The simultaneous experience of anxiety and the engorgement of the labia and clitoris led to an apotropaic meaning, in addition to a sexual meaning, being assigned to the genitals during the Palaeolithic Era. The ability to think in symbols, which was developing greatly at this time, led to that which could be experienced in bodies being transferred to Venus Figurines.

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