The category of “animal species” is at the heart of traditional interpretations of Palaeolithic art. In this context, animal depictions have traditionally been conceptualized in terms of the “animal species” they are supposed to represent. Moreover, the relationships between humans and animals have been discussed in similar terms. In this paper, I examine some innovative ways in which this relationship can be considered. In particular, I explore the possibility of interpreting animal images as representations of individuals, rather than just of species. Focusing on a number of pieces of rock art and portable images, and examining other kinds of activities (animal butchery, body adornment, treatment of human corpses, etc.) from the Middle Magdalenian (19,000–16,000 cal BP), I seek to demonstrate how the concept of the “individual” offers a number of interpretive possibilities beyond the traditional category of “species”. I argue that the focus on the head and face can reflect this interest in individualized animals. I also highlight the existence of practical techniques employed to create a relationship between human and animal individuals.

中文翻译：

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抹大拉的中部人类和动物个体

“动物物种”的类别是旧石器时代艺术传统解释的核心。在这种情况下，传统上已经按照它们应该代表的“动物物种”来概念化动物描绘。而且，已经以相似的术语讨论了人与动物之间的关系。在本文中，我研究了一些可以考虑这种关系的创新方法。特别是，我探索了将动物图像解释为个人而不是物种的代表的可能性。专注于许多岩石艺术作品和便携式图像，并检查其他类型的活动（动物屠宰，身体装饰，人体尸体的治疗等）。）来自中马格达林时代（19,000–16,000 cal BP），我试图证明“个人”的概念如何提供超越传统“物种”范畴的多种解释可能性。我认为对头部和面部的关注可以反映出对个性化动物的这种兴趣。我还强调了在人与动物之间建立联系的实用技术的存在。