Shell Mask, Clay Figurine

[Narration]
People have a natural affinity with beauty and are attracted to beautiful objects as well as to beautiful people. Neolithic people were no different in this respect. As food production increased and life became more stable, they enjoyed leisure time and artistic pursuits. Clay figurines and shell masks and pottery decorated with faces are good examples of early art.

[Tourist]
Where is the clay figurine? This one just looks like a stone.

[Narration]
Yes, it does. It’s only 3.6 centimeters tall, but if you look closely you will see that the figurine has large breasts and a slim waist.

[Tourist]
Ah, I see now. It looks similar to the Venus of Willendorf figurine found in Austria.

[Narration]
It does. Figurines emphasizing the breasts and hips of the female body were common in ancient cultures all over the world. They symbolize fertility and abundance.

[Tourist]
I understand. And there is a shell and a piece of pottery with a funny faces on them.

[Narration]
Yes, this is a depiction of a human face that has been cut into a shell. The Neolithic people made accessories and figurines out of bones, horns and shells, like these two examples. They reveal the aesthetic sense of the Neolithic people and their belief that spirits dwelled in humans and natural objects alike.