Anthropomorphic Symbols on Neolithic Vessels from Puglia

Giorgia Aprile,Ida Tiberi

doi:10.1515/opar-2020-0178

Abstract

Abstract In Puglia, human representations on vessels were widespread from the Early Neolithic. Some of these have been interpreted as faces, but they could also be representations of the entire body complete with torso, arms and legs: these include some recently studied symbols from Grotta dei Cervi, which have been compared with others from Grotta delle Veneri, whose published descriptions are open to revision. From this starting point, the scope of the research was expanded to include all documented anthropomorphic symbols on Neolithic vessels from south-east Italy, taking account of their chronology, origin and context. It was possible to establish that in the sixth millennium BC, there were three different categories of human representation in Puglia: vessels decorated with human faces (face vessels), vessels decorated with whole-body human figures and vessels in the shape of human beings (anthropomorphic vessels). Some faces include all elements, while others have just some of them (e.g. the nose). In addition, some faces have extra elements such as bands or bundles of lines that can be interpreted as tattoos, beards, ornaments or clothes. The symbols may be representations of praying figures, dancers, high status or powerful members of the community, ancestors and even gods, who were tasked with either protecting the community or acting as an intermediary between the community offering the vessel and the deity of the underworld. This study examines the presence of these artefacts in settlements, caves and other cult sites, with the aim of describing this distinctive phenomenon that was particularly characteristic of Puglia during the Early Neolithic.

Highlights

In 2015, a research project targeted at the prehistoric caves of South-East Italy was started by the University of the Salento in collaboration with the local archaeological Authority (Soprintendenza ABAP per le province di Brindisi, Lecce e Taranto)
The project made it possible to identify, as part of the study of the pottery complexes found in Grotta dei Cervi (Porto Badisco, Otranto-LE) and Grotta delle Veneri (Parabita-LE) (Figure 1), 16 Early and Middle Neolithic vessels decorated with anthropomorphic symbols
In the north of Puglia, many face vessels were found in trenched settlements, and it should be noted that they often come from the compound or main enclosure

Summary

Introduction

In 2015, a research project targeted at the prehistoric caves of South-East Italy was started by the University of the Salento in collaboration with the local archaeological Authority (Soprintendenza ABAP per le province di Brindisi, Lecce e Taranto). The project made it possible to identify, as part of the study of the pottery complexes found in Grotta dei Cervi (Porto Badisco, Otranto-LE) and Grotta delle Veneri (Parabita-LE) (Figure 1), 16 Early and Middle Neolithic vessels decorated with anthropomorphic symbols. Starting from the finds with anthropomorphic symbols from Grotta dei Cervi and Grotta delle Veneri, we examined in detail all known examples from Puglia.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion