The Representation of Female Figures in the Rhineland Magdalenian.

Abstract

The Magdalenian sites of Andernach and Gönnersdorf are located in the central Rhineland at the northwestern end of the Neuwied Basin (fig. 1). The first investigation of the Andernach-Martinsberg site was carried out in 1883 by H. Schaaffhausen (1888); between 1979 and 1983 a new campaign of excavations took place at the same site (Veil 1982a). The site of Gönnersdorf was investigated between 1968 and 1976 (Bosinski 1979). The two sites are located directly facing each other above the Rhine, which at the time of the occupation was much wider than at the present day; Andernach is sited on a Middle Pleistocene lava flow, while Gönnersdorf is on the Middle Terrace of the Rhine. Both sites are assigned by pollen analysis to the end of the Bølling interstadial; the great similarities in their archaeological material, down to individual details, suggest that the two sites were contemporary.

The Exploitation of Carnivores and Other Fur‐bearing Mammals during the North‐western European Late and Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic

“…Alongside this the possible expansion of symbolic expression via clothing and personal adornment cannot be excluded, although this aspect of stone age life remains difficult to quantify. Highly stylised engravings are known from a variety of Lateglacial and early Postglacial locations, including Gönnersdorf in Germany (Bosinski 1991), Gough's Cave (Charles 1989) and Kendrick's Cave (Sieveking 1971) in Britain. Gamble (1991) has suggested that the Magdalenian 'symbolic explosion' of the Lateglacial can be interpreted within the context of social knowledge and communication between pioneer groups re-colonising the north-western European mainland, allowing for the maintenance of social contacts over great distances.…”

A Newly Discovered Female Engraving from Courbet (Penne-Tarn), France

“…Although the line of the shoulder is not indicated, the angular shape of the projection and its detachment from the body might represent arms crossed or held to a point as observed on some of the figures found at Gonnersdorf, Germany (Bosinski 1991;Bosinski & Fischer 1974), rather than breasts which are usually rounded and attached bag-like to the body. Its lines are clearly visible despite alteration of the stone surface during burial and some subsequent scuffing.…”

“…Following the measurement system proposed for the description of such engravings by Bosinski (Bosinski 1991;Bosinski & Fischer 1974), the depth and position of the maximum projection of the buttocks defined by the length of line cd relative to and along ab on fig. Following the measurement system proposed for the description of such engravings by Bosinski (Bosinski 1991;Bosinski & Fischer 1974), the depth and position of the maximum projection of the buttocks defined by the length of line cd relative to and along ab on fig.…”

Making art, making society: the social significance of small-scale innovations and experimentation in Palaeolithic portable art

“…Many female figurines, including those from Mal'ta in Siberia (see Derev'anko, Shimkin, and Powers 1998, 126Á9, Figs. 130Á133) and Gönnersdorf in Germany (Bosinski 1991), demonstrate the varied Palaeolithic iconography for the female form. Moreover, male figurines (Kehoe 1991;Oliva 2000) challenge the notion that the female image was overtly privileged.…”

“…Although Gamble (1982) admirably tried to evaluate these artefacts within a social context, art was still grouped by appearance and subject matter, and female figurines were privileged and isolated from associated zoomorphic and non-figurative art. During the past 30 years, female figurines have been proven to be both older and younger than the so-called 'Venus horizon' originally purported to date to c. 28,000Á22,000 BP (Bosinski 1991;Conard 2009). Moreover, Gamble's (1982) argument for the uniform style and appearance of these figurines, echoing Leroi-Gourhan's (1964) arguments about consistency of bodily proportions in these figurines, warrants reconsideration.…”