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A two-inch mesolithic stone figurine from Azerbaijan tells a tale of cultural growth.
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This is the first cultural find in the South Caucasus region.
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The sandstone figure depicts a person, and the stone instruments were used to create works of art.
The oldest work of art does not have a small figure of sandstone per person from the mesol-era-ever to be found in a region of modern Azerbaijan.
In a study published by Archaeological Studies in AsiaA team of archaeologists from both Japan and Azerbaijan showed how they use the technology to explore the details of the stone figurine that helps to tell the history of cultural changes from mesolite to the Neolithic.
“Its stylistic characteristics are significantly different from those of neolithic human figures in the region,” writes the study authors, “providing a valuable reference point for understanding cultural processes in symbolic aspects during the mesolite neolithic interface in the South Caucasus.”
Archaeologists discovered the figure in the Damili Cave, which was first studied by archaeologists in 1953. The layers in the cave show a high density of neolithic settlements and follow the life back to the average paleolithic and mesolithic times.
The figurine in question (called unit 5.2) was originally almost discarded when it was found in a layer of sediment along the banks of the Kura River – why would it be an ovular piece of sandstone to be something different from a rock lying on the bed of the river? Fortunately, someone noticed the weak lines put into the rock, which were obviously the work of an artist. The team needed a microscopic analysis to really see the engraving models (the only modification made on the stone). “The general model suggests that the artifact is a human figure,” the authors wrote.
The carbon dating of the artifact puts it between 6400 and 6100 BC, but requires computed tomography analysis, X -ray fluorescent analysis and scanning analysis of the electronic microscope to really clarify the cultural value and stylistic differences from neolithic examples.
One side of the figure has more complicated engravings, probably showing that this is the front of the figure. Two inches long, half an inch wide, and about one -third of the inch thick, the craftsmanship was detailed and stone tools were required. The vertical lines at the top of the stone are probably hair. There is also an explicitly outlined horizontal line through the hair, which researchers believe is a hair band or edge of the cap, especially since the top of the head is not decorated. The figure lacks the features of the face and there is no way to understand the intended gender of the figure.
The lower part of the body is less intensely decorated, but there are three horizontal lines that are probably a belt and vertical lines representing a loop or apron. The team found reddish areas with a higher level of iron content, opening the possibility that red pigments were part of the original design.
“It seems that engraving was carefully carried out in most parts, representing the high sophistication of crafts, although there are also various intensity of work,” the team wrote. In the style of engraving, different depths and widths were used, showing a deviation in shocks. “The most intensive traces of engraving on the front of the head suggest the accent of the manufacturer on the head, although the details of the face of the figure were not depicted,” they wrote.
Along with the figure, the team found remnants of stone fireplaces, bones and rocking stones, but the artifacts of the earth are rare. “The stone figure from block 5.2 is a very exceptional find,” they wrote.
The style implies a local tradition of artistic presentation, although it may have cultural influence from Southwestern Asia. “This copy is unique in the prehistory of the Southern Caucasus,” the team wrote. “We hope that this study will provide a warning note in the study of small stone objects from objects during the introduction of the agro-survivory socio-economy in the Southern Caucasus. More detection of the portable arts of mesolite must certainly contribute to our better understanding of the mesolite neolithic transition to the southern Caucas.”
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