neshamama: female figurine from beersheba, chalcolithic period, 4500-3500 bce, hippopotamus ivo
neshamama: female figurine from beersheba, chalcolithic period, 4500-3500 bce, hippopotamus ivory Carved from a single piece of tusk, this mysterious figurine - beautifully preserved though headless and missing part of the right arm - is a nude female, apparently in an advanced state of pregnancy, with a large circular aperture in the place of her navel. Her hands rest on her hips, and her legs are slightly flexed as if moving; her pubic hairs are marked by drill holes, which were probably originally filled with bitumen or another material. The figurine, which is curiously lifelike, has a smooth,highly polished surface. It somewhat resembles Egyptian Predynastic ivories. -- source link