Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : GIAMALAKIS COLLECTION : Neolithic female figurine [ΣΓΑ249]

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Neolithic female figurine

ΣΓΑ249

Clay

Intact

Height: 14.8 cm. Maximum width: 8.8 cm.

Pano Chorio Ierapetra

Stone Age. Late Neolithic period:

5300 - 4500 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Stone Age (7000-3000 BC). The first communities

Figurines - The symbolisms of the human form

Description

Seated female figurine. The cross-legged posture and large lower body are very naturalistically rendered. The figure is wearing a headdress. The incisions indicate either clothing or features of the body. The fleshy female figure is believed to be symbolic of the fecundity of nature and procreation. Some scholars interpret figurines of this kind as goddesses, while others argue that they served a magical function. This figurine from Pano Chorio is the largest Neolithic figurine found in Crete. It belonged to the archaeological collection of the Heraklion doctor Stylianos Giamalakis, which was purchased by the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in 1962. A survey of the find location of the figurine by the Archaeological Service revealed traces of habitation dating from the Neolithic period.

Bibliography:

Ξενάκη, Α. "Η Αρχαιολογική Συλλογή Στυλιανού Γιαμαλάκη." Κρητικά Χρονικά. Vol. Α (1947): 219-222. Sakellarakis, Ι.Α. Μουσείο Ηρακλείου. Εικονογραφημένος Οδηγός. Athens, 1982, 133-134. Ucko, P. Anthropomorphic Figurines of Predynastic Egypt and Neolithic Crete with Comparative Material from the Prehistoric Near East and Mainland Greece. London, 1968.

Author:

E. S.

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