Jewellery – Amulets for Housing From the Late Palaeolithic Settlement of Anetivka 2
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to expand the understanding of the primitive art of the Late Palaeolithic steppe of the Southern Bug River region by introducing new artefacts related to small-scale sculpture into scientific circulation, describing and determining the functional purpose of the products found at settlement Anetivka 2, studying the peculiarities of the mineral processing techniques used to make sculptures, analyzing the technological and artistic techniques of creating small-scale sculptures and art objects within the site.
The scientific novelty. A comprehensive technical, morphological, and typological analysis of objects belonging to Late Palaeolithic small-scale sculpture is carried out. The article deals with their iconography, technological methods of manufacturing, and the peculiarities of the mineral raw materials used as blanks for these artefacts. In addition, an interpretation of their possible purpose and functional use of these sculptures at the Anetivka 2 site is proposed.
Conclusions. The group of sculptures considered in this study is united by the fact that all these objects were created in the form of pendants. Among them are both anthropomorphic and zoomorphic mobile sculptures. In terms of iconography, they are generally similar to similar objects from the Anetivka 2 collection, which, however, did not have holes for hanging. As a result of the study of the group of pendant objects belonging to small sculptures, new types of products at the site are described, which can be interpreted as decorations or amulets for the home. The findings of these objects complement the indirect evidence of the existence of a residential object or a canopy on the studied territory. The understanding of the primitive technologies that existed at Anetivka 2 has been expanded. In addition to the technological aspects of the production of these artefacts, it was also possible to trace the traces of repair (with its methods and techniques recorded) and transformation of two damaged sculptures, which indicates their further use after mechanical damage. The analysis of hole-making technologies in specific cases revealed a variety of ways of making holes in soft mineral materials, which is important for understanding the ancient technologies used at Anetivka 2. The study of these sculptures expands the understanding of the material culture and spiritual world of the Palaeolithic communities of the steppe of the Southern Bug River region during the Ice Age.
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