Figurines depicting pregnant or nursing women have been found in many different cultures around the world, dating back to the Paleolithic era. These figurines are often highly stylized, and they may not always be anatomically accurate, but they all share a common theme of fertility.
This suggests that these figurines were not intended to be realistic representations of women, but rather symbolic representations of the female reproductive role. They may have been used in religious rituals to promote fertility, or they may have been given to women as amulets to protect them during pregnancy and childbirth.
In some cultures, these figurines were also associated with the concept of the "Great Mother," a primordial goddess who was believed to be the creator of all life. These figurines may have been used to honor this goddess and to ask for her blessing on fertility and childbirth.
The fact that these figurines are found in so many different cultures suggests that the experience of female fertility and childbirth is a shared and universal human experience. These figurines are a testament to the importance of fertility in human society, and they provide a glimpse into the beliefs and values of prehistoric cultures.
Here are some additional specific examples of the similar iconography in prehistoric figurines of women:
* Large breasts and hips: These features are often exaggerated in prehistoric figurines of women, as they are associated with fertility.
* A pregnant or nursing belly: These figures often depict women who are pregnant or nursing, which is a clear symbol of fertility.
* A vulva or vagina: These features are sometimes depicted in prehistoric figurines of women, as they are associated with childbirth.
* A baby or child: These figures sometimes depict women with a baby or child, which is a symbol of motherhood.
These are just a few examples of the many similarities that can be found in prehistoric figurines of women. These similarities suggest that these figurines were not just random works of art, but rather that they were created with a specific purpose in mind.