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Structure of Art, Structure of Mind

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Emmanuel Anati*
Affiliation:
Centro Camuno di Studi Preistorici, Italy

Abstract

This paper sketches a comprehensive methodology to analyse the elementary structures of prehistoric art. A formal analysis of art is proposed through the distinction between pictograms, ideograms and psychograms. The dynamic between these elements and the thematic contents of the represented scenes is related to the four main types of social organization: early hunters, early gatherers, late hunters, pastoralists and complex economy societies. Cultural patterns of these societies and formal elements of art may appear as sharing the same elementary structures.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICPHS 2007

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