We argue here that it is possible to study dance in prehistoric societies by analysing how it was depicted in rock art. For this research to be effective, subjectivity must be minimised by analysing the images systematically. We adapt a series of criteria first established in Garfinkel’s ‘archaeology of dance’ and apply them to our case study of dance representations in Spanish Levantine rock art. We conclude that only twelve scenes fit the typical parameters of dance representations. By studying this set of images, we are able to identify dances with a single individual, couples and groups. We suggest that dances took place in more than one context and followed specific cultural patterns, among which we highlight gender identity.

中文翻译：

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黎凡特摇滚艺术中的舞蹈场景（西班牙）：批判性评论

我们在这里争辩说，通过分析它在岩石艺术中的描绘方式，研究史前社会的舞蹈是可能的。为了使这项研究有效，必须通过系统地分析图像来最大限度地减少主观性。我们采用了最初在 Garfinkel 的“舞蹈考古学”中建立的一系列标准，并将其应用于我们对西班牙黎凡特摇滚艺术中舞蹈表现的案例研究。我们得出结论，只有十二个场景符合舞蹈表现的典型参数。通过研究这组图像，我们能够识别出单个人、情侣和团体的舞蹈。我们建议舞蹈发生在不止一种背景下，并遵循特定的文化模式，其中我们强调性别认同。