Unique on the Polish scale clay figurine from the Neolithic period
(fourth millennium BC) depicting a stylised woman figure has been found
during the excavations in Racibórz.
|
The clay figurine from the Neolithic period depicting a stylised female figure found
during the excavations in Racibórz [Credit: Piotr Szejnoga] |
"This find is a sensation in the archaeological world, because so far
only a few and small fragments of human figurines from this period have
been discovered" - told PAP Jacek Pierzak from the Silesian Regional
Office for the Protection of Monuments.
The object was discovered during the survey of the planned flood
reservoir Dolna Odra, conducted by the Archaeological Rescue Research
Team at the Centre for Prehistoric and Medieval Studies of the Institute
of Archaeology and Ethnology PAS in Poznań.
The figurine was dubbed "
Venus of Racibórz" because it is similar to
other finds of this type known from Paleolithic sites. It has clearly
shown legs, wide hips, breasts, and three nodules at the top, the
central of which is a schematic representation of the head, while the
outer two are interpreted as hands raised in a gesture of oration.
Figurine from Racibórz, however, is made of different material, than
Venus - it is made of clay, while Venus was sculpted in stone.
Discoverer of the "Venus of Racibórz" is Marek Anioła, archaeologist who
conducts work at the site.
"Female figurines are associated with the worship of fertility and the
mother goddess, they are also considered by some scientists to be
evidence of the importance of women in the Neolithic period" - said the
coordinator of the archaeological work Dr. Przemysław Bobrowski.
It's not only interesting archaeological discovery made during the work
in the Racibórz area. The study includes 15 archaeological sites from
different periods. They are part of a larger project conducted by the
Consortium of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish
Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, the University of Wroclaw and the Adam
Mickiewicz University in Poznań, at the request of the Regional Water
Management Authority in Gliwice.
PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland
naukawpolsce.pap.pl/
Via
The Archaeology News Network
Actualización 05-08-13.
Sale a la luz en Polonia una estatuilla femenina de arcilla del periodo Neolítico