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

Palaeolithic rock art in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde reveals distinct iconographic preferences that may reflect cultural identity. Analysis of 3,341 graphic units using multivariate statistics shows horse, ibex, and deer as common motifs across the Iberian Peninsula, while bison, hind, and aurochs appear in varying proportions, suggesting regional differences. These patterns hint at possible palaeoecological or cultural influences on artistic expression, offering new insights into prehistoric identity traits.

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