M/OTHERING

M/OTHERING is inspired by the concept of "other-mothering," where caring for children is a shared responsibility beyond biological mothers, reflecting ancient communal child-rearing practices. This is often depicted in terracotta votive figurines, which provide valuable insights into the religious, social, and familial dynamics of ancient European societies. The dataset includes 2,725 terracotta votive figurines dating from 625 to 27 BCE, and originating from the historical regions of Etruria, Latium, Magna Graecia, and Sicilia. This resource facilitates studies on how these objects were used by various agents to interact with both humans and deities, as well as expressing cultural norms and personal emotions. Traditionally, religious artifacts have been studied through texts, but M/OTHERING adopts a material-centered approach, enabling broader analysis of religious practices and social structures in Pre-Roman and Roman Italy. The dataset also helps make information—often restricted by language, paywalls, or local access—readily available to a wider audience.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Existing DOI
Assigned DOI https://www.doi.org/10.48493/3rz4-wx69
Version M_OTHERING. 14.04.2025
Author Giulia Pedrucci; Ricardo Fernandes; Carlo Cocozza
Author Email Giulia Pedrucci; Ricardo Fernandes; Carlo Cocozza
Maintainer Giulia Pedrucci
Maintainer Email Giulia Pedrucci
Chronological range (min) 625 BCE
Chronological range (max) 27 BCE
Spatial Box