8,000-Year-Old Figurine Without a Face Found Deep Inside a Cave, Reveals Story of an Ancient Culture
Art often acts as a mirror to situations in a particular society or community. A discovery in the Damjili Cave of modern-day Azerbaijan reflects how a civilization moved from one period to another. The findings have been explained in detail in the Archaeological Research in Asia journal.
The finding in question is a small sandstone figurine of a human, according to Popular Mechanics. Radiocarbon dating reveals that the artifact dates back to somewhere between 6400 and 6100 B.C. This makes the artifact the oldest of its kind from the Mesolithic period. Researchers associated with the study used several techniques, like computed tomography analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and scanning electron microscope analysis, to understand the figurine's features. The results showcased several stylistic differences from the Neolithic cultures of the region.
Researchers claimed that the 8000-year-old artifact was the oldest human figurine from the Mesolithic era, which had ever been found by researchers, according to Arkeonews. The analysis of the model showcased that the Neolithization of the South Caucasus did not happen at one go, instead, it took place in several stages. The artifact was carved out of hard sandstone and exhibited engravings. The carvings represented a human with a neat hairstyle as well as a belt. Researchers, though, could not find facial features, and also could not determine the model's gender.
The artifact was discovered by Ulviyya Safarova, a researcher at ANAS, according to Archaeology Magazine. It was buried under layers of ash and soil, which possibly saved it for centuries. Considering that no other similar human figurine had been discovered in the region, researchers believe that there is a possibility that the model had a symbolic or ritualistic meaning. Examinations confirmed that the artifact was made using Mesolithic stone tools. Though some red coloration is present on the figurine, tests remained inconclusive on whether the figurine was painted or not.
The stylistic difference between the sandstone figurine and other Neolithic figurines with typically seated as well as stylized female features, indicates that there is a discontinuity between these two periods. Researchers believe that several ideological and artistic phases happened between this Mesolithic figurine and other Neolithic artifacts, which reflect how society changed between these two periods.
The detailed representation of hair and cloth made the model stand apart from other Neolithic findings, according to Arkeonews. This made the researchers conclude that a cultural divergence possibly happened when the community was moving from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic period. Recent studies indicate that Neolithization in the South Caucasus likely took place due to exchanges and migrations from the Fertile Crescent in Southwest Asia. Though researchers are still not on the same page when it comes to explaining how these processes transformed the community, and the pace of this change.
Stratified sequencing reveals that Damjili Cave was used from the late Mesolithic to early Neolithic. Hence, this site offers researchers a unique opportunity to understand how local culture progressed through these periods. Researchers found that even though pottery entered the Fertile Crescent during the 7th millennium B.C.E., they were not used in Damjili Cave. Communities inside the cave still followed the almost aceramic lifestyle of the Mesolithic times. This meant that the Fertile Crescent's influence wasn't the only thing that brought the Neolithic lifestyle; indigenous communities had to also participate, and therefore it took time and several stages.