8,000-Year-Old Figurine Discovered in Azerbaijan Cave Reveals Lost Mesolithic Culture

The Remarkable Discovery of an 8,000-Year-Old Figurine

Archaeologists have uncovered a stunning piece of prehistoric art—a small 8,000-year-old figurine—deep inside Damjili Cave in modern-day Azerbaijan. This ancient artifact, carved from sandstone, is believed to be one of the oldest examples of human representation in the South Caucasus region. Measuring just two inches long, this figurine offers an extraordinary glimpse into early Mesolithic life and artistic expression.

Published in the academic journal Archaeological Research in Asia, the research was conducted by an international team from Japan and Azerbaijan. Their findings not only highlight the uniqueness of the figurine but also explore its significance in the broader context of the Mesolithic-to-Neolithic cultural transition.

Why the 8,000-Year-Old Figurine Is a Game-Changer

What makes this 8,000-year-old figurine stand out is its symbolic design. Though the artifact has no facial features, intricate engravings clearly show it was meant to represent a human form. These stylistic elements set it apart from later Neolithic figurines found in the same region. Unlike those more refined human depictions, this Mesolithic figure emphasizes subtle symbolism over realism.

The figurine, known as Unit 5.2, was found in a layer of sediment near the Kura River. It was almost mistaken for an ordinary rock until someone noticed faint carvings etched into its surface. Further analysis using advanced technology confirmed that this was, indeed, an artistic piece created by human hands around 6400 to 6100 B.C.

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Detailed Engravings Reveal Mesolithic Symbolism

The 8,000-year-old figurine features careful engravings believed to represent hair, clothing, and accessories. Vertical lines etched into the upper part of the stone resemble strands of hair, while a horizontal line across the top may depict a hairband or the edge of a cap. Though the figurine’s head receives the most attention from the engravings, it lacks any facial features—leaving its gender and specific identity a mystery.

The lower half of the figurine includes three horizontal lines, which researchers believe could signify a belt, and vertical carvings resembling a loincloth or apron. Microscopic and chemical analysis also detected reddish areas high in iron content, suggesting the use of red pigments in the original design. The precision and effort behind the engravings indicate a sophisticated level of craftsmanship, despite the artifact’s small size.

Scientific Techniques Brought the OLD Figurine to Life

To unlock the secrets of the 8,000-year-old figurine, scientists employed a range of high-tech tools, including computed tomography (CT) scans, X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. These advanced techniques allowed the team to study the depths and angles of the engravings in microscopic detail.

Researchers found that the intensity of engraving varies across the figurine, particularly on the head—indicating that the artist may have placed special emphasis there. This deviation in stroke depth and width reflects a level of artistic expression rarely seen in artifacts from this period.

The 8,000-Year-Old Figurine and Its Cultural Significance

The discovery of the 8,000-year-old figurine has broad implications for how we understand early human culture in the South Caucasus. It supports the idea that symbolic expression and artistic representation existed long before the Neolithic era. This artifact also demonstrates a possible local tradition in Mesolithic art, though influences from Southwest Asia can’t be ruled out.

Alongside the figurine, archaeologists discovered remnants of stone fireplaces, animal bones, and flaked stones—yet found few ground-stone tools. This further underscores the rarity and importance of this figurine. The research team emphasized that such finds are crucial for understanding the socio-cultural transition toward farming, animal domestication, and community life.

A New Chapter in Mesolithic Art History

This 8,000-year-old figurine is now considered a vital reference point in the study of prehistoric art in the South Caucasus. Researchers hope that its discovery will lead to a reevaluation of other stone objects found at similar sites. What might have once been overlooked as common rocks could, in fact, hold deep symbolic meaning.

As more Mesolithic portable art is unearthed, experts believe we’ll gain a clearer understanding of how symbolic communication evolved and shaped the transition into more structured, agrarian Neolithic societies.

Key Points:

• Focus Keyword: 8,000-Year-Old Figurine
• A sandstone figurine dating back 8,000 years was discovered in Damjili Cave, Azerbaijan.
• The figurine features symbolic engravings instead of facial features, offering rare insight into Mesolithic culture.
• Scientific analysis revealed intricate craftsmanship and possible use of red pigment.
• The artifact is one of the oldest representations of the human form in the South Caucasus region.
• Its discovery may redefine how researchers view symbolic art from the Mesolithic period.

Collected from: MSN News