’Sculpture of small forms’ in Prehistoric art: approaches to research and interpretations
’Sculpture of small forms’ in Prehistoric art: approaches to research and interpretations

Summary/Abstract: The study of anthropomorphic figurines of the Neolithic and Copper Ages has long required the development of a methodology based on a system of evidence. Otherwise, we will always be faced with interpretations that have the character of ‘anecdotical explanations’ and with attempts to construct universal schemes. The nature of Prehistoric Art is not much different from the modern art we are familiar with, if we consider art as a communication technology that forms a system of connections and social institutions, and objects of art as intermediaries in this communication. The differences will only be in the degree of preservation of materials and the availability of comments from performers and contemporaries, as well as at the level of development of technology and organization of the social environment. Therefore, objects of prehistoric art can be successfully considered in the context of art studies, where the methodology is based on the sequence: formal study-iconography-iconology. In the interpretation of archaeological finds, beside the archaeological typology, reconstruction of the archaeological and social context, as well as the correct use of structural analogies, play an important role.

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