Female agency in BA Scandinavia as represented in rock art - rethinking the mourning woman in Vitlycke, Tanum.

Rock art from the Nordic Bronze Age reveals significant insights into female agency and social structures. Analyzing 3,372 anthropomorphic figures in Sweden and Norway, researchers found that sexual differences, bodily features, and objects depicted in carvings reflect complex social realities of the period. A notable focus is on the 'mourning woman' motif at Vitlycke, Tanum, which challenges traditional interpretations by highlighting female roles beyond passive mourning. The study applies frameworks like Amartya Sen's capability approach and gender theory to interpret these visual representations, suggesting that rock art offers a nuanced window into Bronze Age Scandinavian society.

Salmivuori, S. (2021). Female agency in BA Scandinavia as represented in rock art - rethinking the mourning woman in Vitlycke, Tanum. Academia Letters. https://doi.org/10.20935/al1161