Arms and the Armed: The Evocative Ritual Language in Val Camonica Rock Art

Depictions of armed human figures and weapons in Val Camonica rock art serve as an evocative ritual language, commemorating mythical forefathers, ancestral heroes, and departed warriors. These engravings, found across megalithic sanctuaries and Alpine spiritual centers from the Copper Age to the Iron Age, represent a dynamic visual tradition that not only memorialized significant figures but also invoked their presence during times of need. The study highlights the cultural and chronological importance of these depictions, which vary in stylistic and iconographic arrangements, providing insights into the ritual practices and societal structures of prehistoric communities.

Priuli, A. (2022). Arms and the Armed: The Evocative Ritual Language in Val Camonica Rock Art. Martial Culture and Historical Martial Arts in Europe and Asia, 3–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2037-0_1