Twin figure

Next to scientific models, we also have many non-scientific models at our disposal. Examples of the latter are these African pairs of figures and Etruscan ex votos, i.e. statuettes to thank the gods for a favour granted. They embody ideas and theories, similar to scientific models, but cannot be interpreted as unambiguously. This can be explained by the fact that they have more than one layer of meaning: apart from factual information they also convey symbolic and/or spiritual knowledge.