Levant region (Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic period) anthropomorphic figurines and role of them in the belief system

In the historical period of human beings, examining and expressing their relationship with their environment and own existence has been one of their greatest and most important endevors. Concretizing the meaning and conception that they found in this search effort has turned into a sacred mission for them. This mission has revealed two-dimensional or three-dimensional works of art which are about themselves and nature. In this thesis, some human figurines and artifacts made of stone, clay and bone from the Natufian Culture to the end of the Neolithic Period in Levant have been studied. It has been observed that the Neolithic stone figurines in Levant have been studied before but this study lacks in explaining beliefs and rituals. Studying just stone figurines and excluding others has made it difficult to obtain a true scientific result. In addition, in order to understand the beliefs and rituals in Levant, it has been seen necessary to investigate its relationship with Anatolia, one of the closest regions. The aim of this study is to try to explain the meaning and function of these figurines and artifacts for individuals and communities, to examine the transformations of human beings and these artifacts over time, to compare these artifacts with similar Anatolian examples and to reveal the interaction and reflections in terms of beliefs and rituals between Anatolian and Levant regions. With these aims, information about the Late Epipaleolithic Culture and Neolithic Culture in the Levant, the important settlements that emerged with these cultures and the figurines and artifacts belonging to these cultures have been given in this thesis. In addition, both these artifacts and similar examples of them in Anatolia are listed in the catalog. Within the scope of this thesis, many artifacts made of stone, clay and bone in Levant have been identified. Examination of these artifacts are based on the excavation reports, scientific studies on the artifacts and ethnographic researches. In general, it has been determined that the figurines, which are seen to be related to the cult of the mother goddess, have undergone significant changes and transformations by interacting with thetime and place they were in and there are many similar artifacts with them in Anatolia.