Late Mesolithic sexe in rock art

Late Mesolithic rock art from Alta, Norway, reveals distinct gender representations that challenge traditional assumptions about social roles during this period. The study finds that depictions of humans, particularly in the largest rock art areas of Alta, Nømforsen, and Vingen, suggest a more nuanced involvement of women and men in activities such as hunting and rituals than previously thought. By analyzing these representations through the lens of 'sexe'—a concept integrating gender roles with social dynamics—the research links human depictions to anthropological role-types like great hunters, shamans, and Big Men. This analysis is set against a backdrop of increased communication and gift exchange during the final sub-phases of the Late Mesolithic, offering new insights into the social structures and symbolic meanings embedded in this ancient art.

Fuglestvedt, I. (2017). Late Mesolithic sexe in rock art. Rock Art and the Wild Mind, 353–389. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315108582-12