Dolmen deity
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In archaeology, a dolmen deity is a humanoid figure sometimes seen in the megalithic art cut into the walls of chamber tombs in western Europe, especially those of Symbolkeramik users in Spain.
The figures are highly stylised but usually unmistakably female, with breasts and necklaces common attributes. In some cases, the representation consists of only a pair of eyes or eyebrows, known as the oculus motif. The most detailed images appear on French statue menhirs and the gallery graves of the Seine-Oise-Marne culture such as that at Courjeonnet.
They are interpreted as being images of an Earth mother, underworld goddess and/or fertility symbol.
An exception is the deity of L'Autel de Dehus in Guernsey, known as Le Gardien du Tombeau, which is unmistakably bearded and carrying a bow and arrow.
See also Venus figurine
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