Social Symbolism in Ancient & Tribal Art

12. Vol. 3, Book 3 - Rebirth: The World Turned Upside Down

The final book of the three volumes, Rebirth: The World Turned Upside Down deals with the mythic notion of inversion as a prelude to rebirth. This book includes perhaps the most subtle and complex arguments of the series, and synthesizes Carpenter's thoughts on the symbolism inherent in anthropomorphic compositions examined in the series. As with the other volumes, the initial sources are derived from visual data, lectures and papers written by Carl Schuster, although Carpenter presents the material with succinct clarity. Analyzing Paleolithic, Polynesian, Arctic and other inverted figures, the book posits that they depict female lineage, incorporating many of the concepts expressed throughout the prior volumes. The book concludes with appendices on Bi-lobed pendants, as well as the Notes, Sources and Bibliography relevant to Volume Three, and acknowledgments of other contributors to this exhaustive work.