INTRODUCTORY CITATIONS
ENTRY NARRATIVE
Decolonizing Ancient Knowledge.
Supported Image and Document size (each): 15MB
Tan-Tan.
‘Represents the oldest currently known figurine’ [figure]
that predates the Late-Acheulian Berekhat Ram.
(FAA: 411.)
The dark African Palaeoart figure known as Tan-Tan from Morocco appears to be the earliest of the Afrocentric (dark mother) figures. Surrounding sediments indicate that the timeline is c. 500,000 to 300,000 BCE. In Bednarik’s archaeological report, “A Figurine from the African Acheulian 1,” the Tan-Tan female icon is c. 400,000 BCE * and represents the oldest known figure, therefore predating the Late-Acheulian Berekhat Ram. Even though both Tan-Tan and the Berekhat Ram show evidence of ocher (or ochre), the Tan-Tan figure is the first “known instance of pigment application, although older indirect evidence of such a practice does exist.” (FAA: 411.) In regard to calling the Tan-Tan figure an icon, he says “unmistakable traces of moderating the level of visual ambiguity of the Tan-Tan specimen define it as iconic.” (FAA: 411.)
* (500,000-300,000 BCE.)
This intentionally enhanced icon measures around six centimeters and was discovered by German archaeologist, Lutz Fiedler. Location of the find was in a river deposit on north side of the River Dra (or Draa) just south of the township of Tan-Tan. Painted with red ocher (symbolic blood), the figure is made from quartzite and suggests ritual or spiritual importance. As discussed by Francesco d’Errico and April Nowell, archaeological evidence consistently confirms, “Neanderthals produced and used symbolic objects.” (NLBR: 163.) The dating, engravings, location, female attributes, and use of ochre (iron oxide), mirror other African dark mothers or “Venus” (?) * carved statues. Additional examples in Re-Genesis are: the Berekhat Ram followed by Brassempouy; Willendorf; Laussel; Dolni Vestonice and Lespugue. (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135.)
* “Venus”: Medieval Latin Uenus is a de-sacralized/de-sanctified term for goddess or ancestral matrix.
FURTHER RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS
Further keyword research on ancient African Dark Mothers and related trade routes:
3,000,000, Overview of Hominid Evolution Including Dark Mothers and Later Migrations; 280,000-250,000; The Berekhat Ram Figure; 70,000, Blombos Cave and V Shaped Engraving; 50,000, African Homo Sapiens Migrations and Matrilineal Motherline; 40,000, Har Karkom; 30,000-25,000, Aurignacian Age; 30,000-25,000, Goddess of Willendorf, Austria; 26,000, Grimaldi Caves; 25,000-20,000, Gravettian Age; 25,000, Caravanserai, Trade Routes, and Dark Mothers; 25,000-20,000, Goddess of Laussel; 24,000, Dolni Vestonice; 23,000, Austrian Goddess of Lespugue; 10,000, Grotta dell’Addaura; 7000, Jericho, Canaan/Palestine: Mesolithic to Neolithic; 7000, Hieros Gamos; 6000, Sicilians to Malta; 5200, Malta and Gozo; 4700, Dolmens; 2200, Nahariyah and Ashrath-Yam; 1900-1800, Dawning of the African Alphabet and the Aniconic Goddess Triangle; 1000, Ephesus, Anatolia; 800, Tanit; 800, Carthage, Africa, the Goddess Tanit and Sacrifice; 750-650, Cybele and King Midas, Anatolia; 664-525, Neith and the Black Virgin Mary Temple at Sais, Egypt; 600, Goddess Kaabou at Petra, Jordan plus Mecca, Saudi Arabia; 400, Cathedra Goddess Isis; and 370, Isis and Philae, Egypt. (RGS.)
For further keyword research on the production of hand axes, including pre-and-post the Acheulian, see keywords:
“hand axe” AND Oldowan OR “Olduvai Gorge” OR Mousterian OR Pleistocene OR Holocene “Homo Ergaster.” Additional searches might include: “hand axe” AND Saint-Acheul OR “Venerque France” OR Madrid OR “Moldavian Plateau.”
Further keyword research on ancient ochre: 285,000, Ochre at Kapthurin Formation plus Other Sites;
280,000-250,000, The Berekhat Ram Figure; 92,000, Qafzeh Cave and Ochre Symbolism; 70,000, Blombos Cave and V Shaped Engraving; 50,000, African Homo Sapiens Migrations and Matrilineal Motherline; 31,000, Chauvet Cave and Vulva Engravings; 10,000, Grotta dell’Addaura; 2600-2000, Early Bronze Age, Crete, Chthonian * Prepalatial/Early Minoan (EM I-III); and 1500, Lachish Ewer, Triangle, and Menorah. (RGS.)
* (Earth mother, Chthonia.)
ENTRY 4 GODDESS SITES AND ARTIFACT IMAGE COLLECTIONS
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
Placholder_0001
GSA TEXT REFERENCES
IMAGE: SAMPLE TEXT
IMAGE: SAMPLE TEXT
ReGenesis
ENCYCLOPEDIA
ENTRY 4
500,000-300,000 BCE Dark Mother Tan-Tan of Morocco
DARK MOTHER TAN TAN 3
VENUS OF LAUSSEL CAVE: DORDOGNE, FRANCE
TAN TAN BACK VIEW
INTRODUCTORY CITATIONS
Decolonizing Ancient Knowledge.
Re-Genesis is the first open-access encyclopedia
to liberate post-colonial research
to its rightful 3,000,000 BCE origins
and - liberate female spirituality.
(RGS.)
Tan-Tan.
‘Represents the oldest currently known figurine’ [figure]
that predates the Late-Acheulian Berekhat Ram.
(FAA: 411.)
ENTRY NARRATIVE
The dark African Palaeoart figure known as Tan-Tan from Morocco appears to be the earliest of the Afrocentric (dark mother) figures. Surrounding sediments indicate that the timeline is c. 500,000 to 300,000 BCE. In Bednarik’s archaeological report, “A Figurine from the African Acheulian 1,” the Tan-Tan female icon is c. 400,000 BCE * and represents the oldest known figure, therefore predating the Late-Acheulian Berekhat Ram. Even though both Tan-Tan and the Berekhat Ram show evidence of ocher (or ochre), the Tan-Tan figure is the first “known instance of pigment application, although older indirect evidence of such a practice does exist.” (FAA: 411.) In regard to calling the Tan-Tan figure an icon, he says “unmistakable traces of moderating the level of visual ambiguity of the Tan-Tan specimen define it as iconic.” (FAA: 411.)
* (500,000-300,000 BCE.)
This intentionally enhanced icon measures around six centimeters and was discovered by German archaeologist, Lutz Fiedler. Location of the find was in a river deposit on north side of the River Dra (or Draa) just south of the township of Tan-Tan. Painted with red ocher (symbolic blood), the figure is made from quartzite and suggests ritual or spiritual importance. As discussed by Francesco d’Errico and April Nowell, archaeological evidence consistently confirms, “Neanderthals produced and used symbolic objects.” (NLBR: 163.) The dating, engravings, location, female attributes, and use of ochre (iron oxide), mirror other African dark mothers or “Venus” (?) * carved statues. Additional examples in Re-Genesis are: the Berekhat Ram followed by Brassempouy; Willendorf; Laussel; Dolni Vestonice and Lespugue. (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135.)
* “Venus”: Medieval Latin Uenus is a de-sacralized/de-sanctified term for goddess or ancestral matrix.
ENTRY 4 GODDESS SITES AND ARTIFACT IMAGE COLLECTIONS
IMAGES: DARK MOTHER TAN-TAN: TAN-TAN, MOROCCO, 500,000-300,00 BCE.
© GSA. DESCRIPTION: DARK MOTHER TAN-TAN, MOROCCO.
NOTE 1:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135). (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
PHOTO NOTE: ILLUSTRATOR, TAMARA THEBERT.
GSA IMAGE REFERENCES
IMAGE: DARK MOTHER TAN-TAN: TAN-TAN, MOROCCO, 500,000-300,00 BCE.
© GSA. DESCRIPTION: DARK MOTHER TAN-TAN, MOROCCO.
NOTE 1:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135). (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
PHOTO NOTE: ILLUSTRATOR, TAMARA THEBERT.
IMAGE: BEREKHAT RAM: GOLAN HEIGHTS, ISRAEL, 280,000-250,000 BCE.
© GSA. DESCRIPTION: BEREKHAT RAM FIGURE FROM GOLAN HEIGHTS: SECOND OLDEST REPRESENTATIONAL ART FIGURE THAT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED.
ON LOCATION: GLOBAL GOLAN HEIGHTS, ORIGINALLY IN THE LEVANT.
NOTE 1: SINCE THE BEREKHAT RAM INCLUDES OCHER (OCHRE) PLUS OTHER AFRICAN DARK MOTHER FIGURE ATTRIBUTES, THE EVIDENCE IS HARD TO IGNORE (RGS). (NLBR: 123-67; BRF: 327-337; FAA: 411.)
NOTE 2:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135). (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
PHOTO NOTE: FOR FURTHER BEREKHAT RAM RESEARCH AND IMAGES
RESOURCE: (ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE & ART.)
RESOURCE: (MUSEUM ART RESOURCE.)
IMAGE: STONE CIRCLES IN GOLAN HEIGHTS: ORIGINALLY GALILEE.
© GSA. DESCRIPTION: IN 1981-1982, THE BEREKHAT RAM WAS DISCOVERED AT GOLAN HEIGHTS, ORIGINALLY IN THE LEVANT.
CU_BAR_S1_R4_SL2_S17.jpg
CO_BAR_S1_R4_SL2_S17_ILL.
NOTE 1: FIELDWORK PROJECT.
IMAGE: MAIDEN WITH HOOD FROM BRASSEMPOUY: LANDES, FRANCE, c. 22,000
BCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. DESCRIPTION: IVORY HEAD OF VIRGIN GODDESS WITH HOOD FROM BRASSEMPOUY, LANDES FRANCE.
CU_NPF_S4_R1_SL3_S3.jpg
SHOT ON LOCATION: MUSÉE DES ANTIQUITÉS NATIONALES: SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE: OUTSIDE OF PARIS.
NOTE 1:
THIS IS THE OLDEST KNOWN SCULPTURE OF A GODDESS THAT HAS BEEN FOUND TO DATE. (THE GODDESSES OF WILLENDORF, LAUSSEL, LESPUGUE, ARCHIVE FOR RESEARCH FURTHER RESEARCH AND IMAGES: THE DOLNI VESTONICE ARE ENGRAVED) (MG: 9-11).
NOTE 2: NET-LIKE HEADDRESS CONSIDERATIONS ARE A STYLIZED KNOTTED HAIR NET, NETTED SNOOD, OR A NETTED CAP.
IMAGE: GODDESS OF WILLENDORF WITH LABYRINTHINE HEADDRESS: AUSTRIA. 30,000- 25,000 BCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. DESCRIPTION: GODDESS OF WILLENDORF (4 1/2 INCHES): ENGRAVED LIMESTONE OR FIRED COMPOSITE WITH TRACES OF OCHRE. ON HER HEAD IS A WOVEN HEADDRESS OR HAIR STYLE, OF PRECISELY CARVED LABYRINTHINE NOTATIONS ‘LAYERED IN SEVEN STRATA.’ (MG: 10.)
CU_NPF_S2_R3_SL5_S15.jpg
ILLUSTRATION/IMAGE OF GODDESS OF WILLENDORF WITH LABYRINTHINE HEADDRESS. HAUTE GARGONNE, FRANCE: MUSÉE DES ANTIQUITÉS NATIONALES. (SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE IS JUST OUTSIDE OF PARIS.)
NOTE 1: GIVEN THE MINIATURE SCALE, SHE COULD EASILY FIT IN ONE’S HAND AND SUGGESTS A “PERSONAL, NOT A COMMUNAL, RELIGIOUS ARTIFACT.” (SOTG: 26-27.)
NOTE 2:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135). (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
NOTE 3: FIELDWORK 1982-1989.
IMAGE: GODDESS OF LAUSSEL CAVE: DORDOGNE, FRANCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. DESCRIPTION: GODDESS OF LAUSSEL CARVED INTO A LIMESTONE SLAB ON A LOW RELIEF IN THE LAUSSEL CAVE IN THE DORDOGNE. (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
CU_NPF_S1_R2_SL4_S9.jpg
SHOT ON LOCATION OF ORIGINAL AT THE MUSÉE D'AQUITAINE: BORDEAUX, FRANCE.
NOTE 1: TO–SCALE PROTOTYPE FROM METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK AS PHOTOGRAPHIC PERMISSION DENIED AT MUSÉE D'AQUITAINE, BORDEAUX, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER, 1981.
NOTE 2:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (EKP: 89-135). (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
NOTE 3: FIELDWORK PROJECT 1981.
IMAGE: GODDESS OF LAUSSEL CAVE WITH HORN: DORDOGNE, FRANCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. DESCRIPTION OF GODDESS OF LAUSSEL. IN HER RIGHT HAND, SHE HOLDS A BISON/BULL HORN OR CRESCENT SHAPED MOON THAT IS ENGRAVED OR INCISED WITH THIRTEEN DOWNWARD STROKES (RGS).
BCE.
CU_NPF_S1_R2_SL5_S10.jpg
SHOT ON LOCATION OF ORIGINAL AT THE MUSÉE D'AQUITAINE: BORDEAUX, FRANCE.
NOTE 1: TO–SCALE PROTOTYPE FROM METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK AS PHOTOGRAPHIC PERMISSION DENIED AT MUSÉE D'AQUITAINE, BORDEAUX, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER, 1981.
NOTE 2:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (EKP: 89-135). (RGS.)
NOTE 3: FIELDWORK PROJECT 2002.
IMAGE: ANIMAL FRIEZE INCLUDING BISON: LE ROC DE SERS, FRANCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. DESCRIPTION: FRIEZE OF ANIMALS FROM LE ROC DE SERS, CHARENTE, FRANCE, SOLUTREAN PERIOD.
CO_FRA_S4_R2_SL4_S7.jpg
SHOT ON LOCATION: MUSÉE DES ANTIQUITÉS NATIONALES: SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE, JUST OUTSIDE OF PARIS.
NOTE 1:
A SOLUTREAN AGE MAMMOTH-HUNTING EXAMPLE IS ILLUSTRATED IN THIS LE ROC DE SERS FRIEZE DISCOVERED IN A CLIFF ROCK SHELTER NEAR ANGOULÊME VILLAGE, FRANCE. THE ENGRAVINGS INCLUDE HORSES, BEAR, A BOAR, A BISON AND TWO BUTTING IBEXES (RGS).
IMAGE: DOLNI VESTONICE: MORAVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, 24,000 BCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. IMAGE: DOLNI VESTONICE.
CU_NPF_S5_R4_SL2_S35.jpg
SHOT ON LOCATION: MORAVIA, SOUTH OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC: DOLNI VESTONICE MUSEUM, CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
NOTE 1: TO–SCALE PROTOTYPE.
NOTE 2: ALSO SEE DOLNI VESTONICE CZECH REPUBLIC IN GOOGLE IMAGES.
NOTE 3
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE (EKP: 89-135) (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
NOTE 4: FIELDWORK PROJECT.
PHOTO NOTE: FOR FURTHER DOLNI VESTONICE (CZECH REPUBLIC) RESEARCH
AND IMAGES:
RESOURCE: (MUSEUM ART RESOURCE.)
RESOURCE: (BRITISH MUSEUM: LONDON, ENGLAND.)
RESOURCE: (ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE & ART.)
IMAGE: GODDESS OF LESPUGUE: LESPUGUE CAVE, FRANCE.
PHOTO: © GSA. DESCRIPTION: STEATOPYGOUS IVORY NUDE GODDESS OF LESPUGUE.
CU_NPF_ S1_R3_SL4_S14.jpg
SHOT ON LOCATION: MUSÉE DES ANTIQUITÉS NATIONALES: SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, FRANCE, JUST OUTSIDE OF PARIS.
NOTE 1:
SELECTED EXAMPLES OF AFRICAN DARK MOTHERS DISCUSSED IN RE-GENESIS ARE: TAN-TAN; THE BEREKHAT RAM; BRASSEMPOUY; WILLENDORF; LAUSSEL; DOLNI VESTONICE AND LESPUGUE. (WKP: 11-26-05; EKP: 89-135). (SOURCE: ENTRY ABOVE.)
NOTE 2: FIELDWORK PROJECT 1985-1989