Assessment Questions 6.3

The passage introduces Venus figurines, Upper Paleolithic sculptures of females, often with exaggerated features. The significance lies in their representation of the human form and the varied interpretations, including fertility symbols or depictions of women with different characteristics.

Lewis-Williams and Dowson propose a connection between altered states of consciousness and certain geometric shapes found in ancient cave art. They suggest that the images induced in experimental subjects in altered states, such as dots, wavy lines, and concentric circles, are also seen in Upper Paleolithic artwork, possibly linked to religious rituals.

The passage discusses cave paintings in Sulawesi, Indonesia, dating back to about 45,000 years ago. These paintings, considered the oldest in the world, depict animals and human hands. The significance lies in their age and the insights they provide into early human symbolic expression.