Re-Genesis Encyclopedia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
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.)
Recommended Citation
Joan, Eahr, "DARK MOTHER TAN-TAN OF MOROCCO" (2016). Re-Genesis Encyclopedia. 3.
https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/regenesis/3