Analyzing the symbolic meaning of bovidae in prehistoric cultures, particularly emphasizing ibex motifs in ancient Iranian arts

IF 0.8 4区地球科学 Q3 ANTHROPOLOGY

Anthropologie Pub Date : 2025-07-31 DOI:10.1016/j.anthro.2025.103384

Shirin Torkamandi , Marcel Otte , Abbas Motarjem

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The ibex has been extensively documented in Persian prehistory and history, particularly from the Neolithic period to the Iron Age. This is evident from the motifs of this animal on abundant examples of pottery, rock, and metal artifacts. The ibex image has been used frequently in pottery at various Near East and Iran sites for several millennia. This indicates the significant status of ibex in the Near East. It also provides information regarding the cosmology of ancient inhabitants in Iran. Moreover, the image use of the ibex on Paleolithic carving bones refers to the fact that this animal has had a cultural-symbolic role. The present study is an attempt to analyze the concept of the ibex motif in ancient Persian culture regarding Mesopotamian, Persian, and Greek mythology. The dominant question concerns the importance of ibex in the lifestyle and the beliefs of ancient Iranian society. Therefore, the question is important because it can help explain this animal's material and spiritual aspects. Due to the unique physical characteristics of this animal, the ibex emerged as a symbol of lust and femininity, and the winter season of fertility and water was given more attention in mythology.

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分析史前文化中牛科动物的象征意义，特别强调古伊朗艺术中的野山羊图案

在波斯的史前和历史上，特别是从新石器时代到铁器时代，野山羊被广泛地记录下来。这一点可以从大量陶器、岩石和金属制品上的这种动物的图案中看出。几千年来，在近东和伊朗的陶器中经常使用野山羊的形象。这表明了野山羊在近东的重要地位。它还提供了有关伊朗古代居民宇宙观的信息。此外，在旧石器时代的雕刻骨头上使用野山羊的图像表明，这种动物具有文化象征作用。本研究试图分析古代波斯文化中有关美索不达米亚、波斯和希腊神话中野山羊母题的概念。主要的问题是关于山羊在古代伊朗社会的生活方式和信仰中的重要性。因此，这个问题很重要，因为它可以帮助解释这种动物的物质和精神方面。由于这种动物独特的身体特征，野山羊成为了欲望和女性气质的象征，在神话中，生育和水的冬季受到了更多的关注。

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来源期刊

Anthropologie ANTHROPOLOGY-

CiteScore

1.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： First published in 1890, Anthropologie remains one of the most important journals devoted to prehistoric sciences and paleoanthropology. It regularly publishes thematic issues, originalsarticles and book reviews.