Making a Difference: Palaeolithic Iconography as a Trait of Identity in the Iberian Peninsula

Palaeolithic iconography on the Iberian Peninsula reveals distinct cultural identities through animal motif preferences. Research shows that while horse, ibex, and deer were universally depicted across Cantabrian, inland Iberia, and Mediterranean regions, bison, hind, and aurochs motifs varied significantly, suggesting a blend of palaeoecological and cultural influences. The study analyzed 3,341 graphic units using multivariate statistics to classify figurative themes by their discriminating power, offering new insights into Palaeolithic artistic expression and its regional variations.

García‐Bustos, M., & Rivero, O. (2023). MAKING A DIFFERENCE: PALAEOLITHIC ICONOGRAPHY AS A TRAIT OF IDENTITY IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 42(4), 282–300. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12281