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Myth, Motive, and Selection in Southern African Rock Art1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

Patricia Vinnicombe
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Extract

Recent publications on the rock art of Africa have again focused attention on the tremendous wealth of painted and engraved sites in that continent (Brentjes, 1969; Cooke, 1969; Lee and Woodhouse, 1970; Rudner, 1970). At the same time, however, it is made all too clear that the collection of data is largely unsystematic and subjective and, because of the incomplete nature of the evidence, valid analysis or comparison is difficult. Small wonder, then, that there is such a diversity of often conflicting views on the significance of the art (Vinnicombe, 1972).

Résumé

MYTHE, MOTIF ET SÉLECTION DANS L'ART DE LA PIERRE EN AFRIQUE DU SUD

La signification de la mythologie et les concepts de n/um, no!ow et soxa sont discutés en fonction des matériaux relatifs au sujet: l'art de la pierre en Afrique du Sud. L'auteur suggère que la hiérarchie mythique et l'importance rituelle attachée à divers animaux se reflètent dans l'importance numérique des animaux représentées; il se peut d'autre part que l'art de la peinture et de la gravure se soient développés en raison des progrès réalisés dans les techniques de chasse.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 42 , Issue 3 , July 1972 , pp. 192 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1972

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