Conical female figurine portrayed standing, her large vest folded at the bottom in four creases, her bulging shoulders and arms close to the body. Both breasts and the necklace applied on the body. The angular face with applied facial features comprising continuous lines in relief as eyebrows, elongated fissured eyes below, open mouth and large protruding nose. The hair combed backwards between two enlarged earlobes. In her hands, what seems like a grinding stone and a pestle, reminding us the most vital domestic practice commonly found in Neolithic settlements.Figurines with similarly applied facial features have been traditionally ascribed to the Bajaur Valley at the border between Pakistan and India, in the sphere of influence of the early Harappan civilization during the so called Regionalisation Era (2800-2600 BC).Incredibly enough, the extraordinary blend of realism -imbued in the detailed torso and arms of this figurine, and surrealism -of her large facial traits- would not feel out of place in a contemporary setting, thus transcending the boundaries of time and space.For a discussion on Harappan figurines see: J.M. Kenoyer, Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, 1998. - (LO.1040)

Antiquities
Ancient Near East