ebooks A Primer For Daily Life (Studies in Culture and Communication) by Susan Willis in Arts-Photography

Review

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful. misrepresenting archaeologyBy John D. MintonBaileys Prehistoric Figurines fails the first rule of archaeology: "In order to attempt to understanding of Neolithic symbols we must first of all shed our present-day preconceptions." (Cameron; Symbols of Birth and Death in the Neolithic Era) Projecting modern miniatures and Barbie dolls onto Neolithic symbols is not archaeology. If this is "The way archaeology needs to go;" any attempt to understanding ancient cultures is doomed. I should have paid attention to Jeri Studebakers review.11 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Reasoning Skewed by PoliticsBy Jeri L. Studebaker; author of *Breaking the Mother Goose Code* and *Switching to Goddess*Warning: read this book at your own peril. On the other hand; if you want to get less knowledgeable than you were yesterday; this book is for you. According to Bailey; Neolithic anthropomorphic figurines -- which are 95% female -- were made for males and males alone. He is one in a long line of sheep who have tripped over themselves following the lead of archaeologist Colin Renfew in his crusade to crucify the highly successful and highly regarded archaeologist Marija Gimbutas; who (rightly) saw that many if not most Neolithic figurines were considered religious icons by their makers and users.In the world of archaeology Renfrew has tons of political power; so no one wants to cross him. Bailey however goes out of his way to lick Renfrews boots; going so far as to say that some Neolithic figurines were made in order to model sadomasochism. He says that some of the figurines from Thessaly he studied show "the potential mix of pain and pleasure that comes both from bondage ...; from such physical abuse...; and furthermore; from the distanced spectation of the abuse of others (which the act of looking at the figurine of a bound woman evokes).... There is a dynamic tension between pain and pleasure in the bound bodies; especially the female..." (p. 165).Doug; I think you need to get out more. Youre "reading" the figurines with your twenty-first-century patriarchal lenses lined up squarely on your nose; and firmly fogging your view of the Neolithic. Its you and other patriarchal men who make women suffer; and the Neolithic figurine makers were far from patriarchal.6 of 10 people found the following review helpful. fascinating and valid researchBy O. GhiocelThis is one of the most extraordinary books about archeological discoveries in the last 20 years; and offers great insights into the Balkan neolithic cultures; which are so little known and mysterious outside of their respective regions. these cultures such as Cucuteni and Hamangia are captivating; and as a person originally from romania I am simply amazed. I applaud Mr. Bailey for writing this relevant book- not only its archeological validity; but as a new way to understand the neolithic past; to see that after all; people were not so primitive back then. they culture is totally fascinating. This is a must read book for anyone who cares about the beginnings of civilization; lost civilizations; and the history of art. Seems that we were great artists in neolithic times; and modern art is just a rediscovery of the past.