The 7,800-year-old "Great Mother" figurine from Tumba Madžari! This 39cm clay sculpture has a cube-shaped lower half mimicking Neolithic house design. Hollow bottom suggests it was used as an altar for incense and grain offerings. Unique shape only found in the Balkans 🏠
Goddess figurine from North Macedonia reveals Neolithic ritual practices 7,800 years ago
North MacedoniaArtifact
Key facts
- Clay sculpture called 'Great Mother' discovered in 1981 at Tumba Madžari settlement
- Located in North Macedonia
- Dated to 7,800 years ago (5,800-5,200 BC)
- Measures 15.4 inches (39 cm) tall
- Cube-shaped lower half mimics design of Stone Age houses
- Depicts human figure with prominent nose, belly, and breasts
- Linear eyes positioned beneath arched eyebrows
- Arms bent downward with hands placed on boxy bottom half
- Hair gathered into ponytail or braid with traces of brown paint on forehead
- Found in house measuring approximately 26 by 26 feet
- House built in traditional Neolithic style with wooden posts interwoven with branches and clay
- Hollow bottom suggests use as altar for incense, dried herbs, and grain offerings
- Dozens of complete ceramic pots, cups, and jugs found nearby
- Similar figurines found at other Neolithic European and Near Eastern sites
- Unique shape reflecting symbolic relationship between mother goddess and house found only in Balkans
Site mentioned
Sources
popsci.com
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