Iberian Peninsula to the indus

A.E.
25
antHropoMorpHic diSK Head
Cyprus, Khirokitia-
Vouni
Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (VII–VI 
millennia BC)
Andesite, H. 11 cm
Department of Antiquities Cyprus, 
Nicosia, inv. Khirok 1404
Bibliography:
Dikaios 1953, p. 391, 
pl. XCV, iv, CXLIII, iv; Buchholz & 
Karageorghis 1973, pp. 160, 465, no. 
1697.
Stone sculpture has a long tradition in 
prehistoric Cyprus and demonstrates 
high levels of workmanship. However, 
human representations and especially 
facial features do not appear frequently 
in the Neolithic period in Cyprus. 
When they are present, they are 
highly schematic and abstract, lacking 
decorative elements, although some 
have a characteristic expressiveness. 
This is a rare example of a Neolithic 
figurine with facial features (eyes, 
eyebrows and nose) depicted in relief. 
Its disc-shaped head, tilted backwards, 
recalls later Chalcolithic birthing 
figurines. The absence of the mouth, 
as is the case with this piece, is a rather 
common feature among prehistoric 
figurines. It could be that pigments 
(e.g. ochre) were used to depict facial 
features and decoration on stone 
figurines at this time.
A.E.
26
feMale figure
Cyprus, Kissonerga-Mylouthkia Y
Chalcolithic period (IV millennium BC)
Picrolite, H. 6.5 cm
Department of Antiquities Cyprus, 
Nicosia, inv. Kiss Myl 106
Bibliography:
Peltenburg 2003, pp. 
170–171, 173, pl. 13.7, fig. 61.6.
This anthropomorphic figurine has 
been carved out of pale green 
picrolite with olive green mottling. 
It was found in a pit at the multi-
period coastal site of Kissonerga-
Mylouthkia in the Paphos District. 
The figurine presents the standard 
posture of flexed and tucked up legs 
and outstretched arms, suggesting 
a birthing posture. The arms 
however are truncated and have 
been reworked, possibly following 
damage. The head is triangular and 
tilted backwards and the figure’s facial 
features are indicated schematically 
with two horizontal incisions for the 
eyes and a ridge around the back of 
the head, which could be indicating 
hair or a headdress. Picrolite, which 
is local to Cyprus and is found in 
the Troodos range (in particular the 
Kouris and Dhiarizos river valleys), 
is considered to be the hallmark 
material of the Chalcolithic period in 
Cyprus. Its intensified exploitation and 
distribution suggests that exchange 
networks between Chalcolithic 
settlements existed. Furthermore, a 
link has been suggested (Peltenburg 
1982) between the development 
of early metallurgy during the 
Chalcolithic and the intensification of 
picrolite, since in many cases copper 
ore sources lie close to picrolite 
seams.
A.E.

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137
136
28
cruciforM figure
Cyprus, Souskiou-Vathyrkakas Tomb 
85 /1
Chalcolithic period
(IV millennium BC)
Picrolite, H. 12.5 cm
Department of Antiquities Cyprus, 
Nicosia, inv. SK 97 (270) (SVP 85/1)
Bibliography:
Peltenburg 2006, pp. 
87–88, 98, 220, pl. B 5–6, pl. 27, 1; 
Knapp 2013, pp. 223–224, fig. 58.
This well-polished and excellently 
carved cruciform figurine was found 
in a partly looted tomb at the 
Chalcolithic necropolis of Souskiou-
Vathyrkakas. It is made of high quality 
pale green picrolite with extensive 
olive and medium green mottling 
and veining. The figurine has an 
elongated face, bearing no facial 
characteristics and the head is tilted 
backwards. The neck is long and 
straight and the arms are outstretched 
with their ends flat. The body widens 
at the hips and the thighs project 
forward and slope downwards, 
whereas the legs are separated by a 
deep division. This posture is typical 
of Chalcolithic anthropomorphic 
figurines on Cyprus and it is widely 
accepted that it represents a birthing 
posture. At the necropolis site of 
Souskiou-Vathyrkakas, the majority of 
group tombs that included children 
contained anthropomorphic figurines 
as grave goods, whereas only a 
minority of exclusively adult burials 
contained such objects (Peltenburg 
2006, p. 163). It seems therefore, that 
there is a special association between 
children and such anthropomorphs.
A.E.
27
tHe “leMBa lady”
Cyprus, Lemba-Lakkous
Chalcolithic period
(IV millennium BC)
Limestone, H. 36 cm
Department of Antiquities Cyprus, 
Nicosia, inv. LL 54