The Iconography of Children as Cultic Characters in Mediterranean tophet Precincts

Abstract

Abstract Within the range of Phoenician artisanal production of stone votive markers in the central Mediterranean, specifically cippi and stelae from tophet precincts, this paper offers a preliminary exploration of some iconographic and stylistic aspects of anthropomorphic representations in general, and those of children in particular. It provides an overview of traditional craftmanship at different centers of production, the ritual function of stelae in archaeological contexts, and their relevance in the social sphere as “talking monuments.” It also analyses certain specific figural elements (e. g., the so-called “bottle-idol”) and their developments over time. The main aim is to propose tentative interpretations for images of children, given the specific rituals of the sanctuary and their ideological meanings.