Representations of women in Spanish Levantine rock art

Abstract

Key diagnostic features allow the sexual identification of figures in Spanish Levantine rock art in a great number of cases. The analysis conducted here suggests the existence of a sexual division of labour, and that inequalities in this indicate that women were a socially exploited group. The emphasis on hunting found in the paintings responds to an ideology imposed by the dominant patriarchal order, and underscores the fact that masculine activities had greater social value. I argue that control over women is reflected in the scarcity of representations such as maternity, the cancellation of sexual attributes, and the invisibility of female activities. The politico-ideological strategy of concealment gave limited social value to women and their role in creating the conditions for social life.