The use of animals or plants as emblems or guardians of social groups

Totemism

The theory of totemism, as images of one species in particular in one area may mark a significant point in that groups territory (Layton, 2000)

may mark a significant point in the groups territory (Layton, 2000). According to theory of totemism

Layton, 2000 - the prevalence of images of one species in particular in one area may mark a significant point in that groups territory (Layton, 2000)

Totemism is where plants or animals are adopted as emblems or guardians of a particular social group

It is based on ethnographic parallels

We have no evidence to suggest that palaeolithic people shared totemistic views, and such parallels could risk making contemporary people appear primitive (Layton, 2000)

The evidence that supports this theory is open to interpretation

Risks making contemporary people appear primitive

Layton, 2000 - we have no way of knowing that Palaeolithic people shared these views

the marks that animal images have been found with that have been interpreted as weapons could just as easily depict other things, or simply abstract designs

could just as easily depict other things, or simply be abstract designs. Goes against theory of totemism

If it were the case that art used to perform hunting magic, then it is logical to assume that the species depicted would accurately depict the animals that were most populous in the area, and thus were hunted most frequently

that the species depicted would be those that were most populous in the area and thus were hunted most frequently

At Lascaux, 90% of the bones found were of reindeer, but reindeer made up just 0,16% of the art found (Bahn and Vertut, 1998)

If hunting magic used, then can assume that the species depicted would reflect the animals that were most populous in the area and therefore were most frequently hunted - they dont

90% of the bones found were reindeer

0.16% of the art found was images of reindeer

The art doesnt reflect the animals most frequently hunted