Neolithic anthropocentrism: the principles of imagery and symbolic manifestation of corporeality in the Balkans

Abstract

The numerous archeological studies in the Balkans have provided a significant quantity of Neolithic ceramic objects modeled in the form of the human body. Some of these anthropomorphic artifacts were common to a particular region, or certain Neolithic phases, thus indicating their area of distribution, as well as chronological determination. Beside these elementary features, figurines and other types of anthropomorphic objects go much further than stratigraphical and regional classification, and signify a general Neolithic approach to the conceptualization of material culture i.e. anthropomorphism as a fundamental principle employed for the explication of humans themselves, as well as for their surroundings. The abundance of archaeological data enables detailed research and analysis of corporeality as implemented through these artifacts, thus allowing new knowledge of the level of cognitive accomplishment, including characteristics of Neolithic visual perception or even religious behavior. Hence, corporeality as one of the most potent agents of complex visual informations might be used in attempts to decipher essential aspects of Neolithic communities.The aim of this paper is to make a brief generalization of the concept of anthropomorphism, and seek to detect entire forms and media used for its manifestation in the Balkans. Since elements of the human body are not present only on figurines, on this occasion the significance of another visual principle will be accented, which is often applied within Neolithic material. Namely, this considers the implementation of imagery hybridism, which in the domain of anthropomorphism aims to link particular Goce Naumov 228 parts of the human body with objects belonging to those that do not originally have corporeal features. In this way, numerous vessels, models, stamps and 'altars' were produced which include human elements, thus employing their decorated exterior to transpose the substances deposited in their interior into another symbolic category. By involving these artifacts, the concept of anthropomorphism is considerably extended to spheres which do not only exploit the body as a component of identification. On the contrary, within this context, the body obtains a more complex symbolic role with the designation of every detail's specific function in the domain of ideas and messages that should be transmitted through these objects. Therefore, it might be noticed that in the Balkans, anthropomorphism exploits several ceramic forms which are engaged as agents between the principles of Neolithic communities and the essence of substances deposited inside or in the vicinity of these embodied artifacts. The body as mediumThe conception of the human body and the material culture employed for its manifestation induced a developed capability among Neolithic populations for the explicit perception of their own corporeal features, and also for developing a specific approach towards an anthropomorphic definition of space. It should be noticed that Neolithic visual culture is one o...

Neolithic Priorities: Ritual and Visual Preferences within Burials and Corporeality in the Balkans

“…In later prehistoric periods, adult individuals have frequently been found buried in this way. This ritual practice asserts more the symbolic aspects of burial, as well as the implementation of embodiment and anthropomorphism within material culture (Naumov, 2010a(Naumov, , 2013. The production of anthropomorphic vessels, models of houses, and models of ovens with human features was also associated with intramural burials.…”

“…In order to do so, burial locations, sex and age of individuals, miniaturism, and hybridism are analysed. Previous examination of these categories has suggested that Neolithic communities shared the concept of anthropomorphism, which employs the human body as the main metaphor for complex social and symbolic processes (Naumov, 2010a). A preference for particular genders and mediums of human representation was observed for the majority of Neolithic communities.…”

A string of marine shell beads from the Neolithic site of Vršnik (Tarinci, Ovče pole), and other marine shell ornaments in the Neolithic of North Macedonia

“…Apart from these social features, the pottery also had a significant role in symbolic processes and therefore the painted patterns comprised of semiotic components, but some had anthropomorphic features, with the vessel from Vršnik being one of few (Naumov 2008(Naumov , 2015. In terms of symbolic objects, Neolithic societies modeled a number of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines, but also house models and stamps with human and animal representations (Sanev 2006;Chausidis 2010;Naumov 2010). Regarding rituals, intramural burials were also practiced within the settlements with an apparent preference for infants, children and women buried next to or below the dwellings (Naumov 2014).…”

Figurines of the Anatolian Early Bronze Age: the assemblage from Koçumbeli-Ankara

“…Indeed, based on variations in the imagery of figurines, some scholars argue that they represent different life stages, from childhood to maturity and death. Alternatively, based on a combination of patterns of raw material use, stylisation techniques and breakage and deposition patterns, some researchers believe their use was connected to individuals and groups in ever more complex ways (Chapman 2000;Budja 2003;Nanoglou 2006;2009;Voigt 2007;Naumov 2009;Atakuman 2015).…”