Unique 8,000-Year-Old Female Statuette Unearthed in Ulucak Höyük

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable artifact during ongoing excavations at Ulucak Höyük, one of Turkey's oldest farming villages. The discovery of an 8,000-year-old female statuette, with distinctive features not previously seen in other figurines from the site, provides new insights into the rituals and daily life of Neolithic communities.

The 8850-year-old Settlement of Ulucak Höyük

Ulucak Höyük, located in the Kemalpaşa district of Izmir, is one of the earliest known farming villages in Turkey. The site has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period, with the first settlement dating back approximately 8,850 years. Over 1,150 years, the village supported a thriving community for 45 generations, offering a unique window into the evolution of human society in this region.

The archaeological excavations at Ulucak Höyük are led by Prof. Dr. Özlem Çevik, a specialist in Protohistory and Asia Minor Archaeology at Trakya University, reports Anatolian Archaeology. These excavations have been instrumental in shedding light on the Neolithic period of the region, uncovering a wealth of artifacts, particularly pottery, that illustrate the daily lives and cultural practices of these early inhabitants.

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Pottery recovered from the Ulucak Höyük site. (Kemalpaşa District Governorship)

Discovery of the Female Statuette

Among the most significant finds from this year’s excavations is a clay female statuette, unique not only for its age but also for its design. The statuette, measuring between 8 to 10 centimeters (3 to 4 inches), can fit in the palm of a hand, and was found remarkably well-preserved, making it the sixth fully intact figure discovered at Ulucak Höyük.

Prof. Dr. Çevik highlighted the statuette's distinctiveness, noting that it is the first female figurine found at the site with an indicated mouth.

“Typically, figures from this period feature eyes and a nose, but this is the first time we have seen a mouth depicted, represented as a small hole. Additionally, a hole in the neck suggests that the figurine may have been worn as a piece of jewelry, perhaps signifying its importance as a personal or ritual object.”

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This is the sixth complete figure found at Ulucak Höyük. (Kemalpaşa District Governorship/Anatolian Archaeology)

Cultural and Ritual Significance

The placement and condition of the statuette offer clues about its possible role in Neolithic society. Figurines like this one are often found buried within houses, near ovens, in pits under doorsteps, or in association with grinding stones and flints, notes the Anatolian Archaeology report. These locations suggest that such objects were not merely decorative but played a significant role in the spiritual or ritual lives of the inhabitants.

Prof. Dr. Çevik speculates that the female figure could represent a revered individual within the community, perhaps someone who was responsible for storytelling or other important cultural activities.

"It may represent the person who tells stories in the community," she explained, suggesting that the figurine might symbolize the transmission of knowledge, tradition, or spiritual beliefs.

The exact purpose of these figurines remains a matter of scholarly debate, but their frequent association with domestic spaces and essential tools hints at their role in rituals related to home life, protection, and perhaps fertility or prosperity.

The fact that the figure was found with a hole in its neck indicates that it could have been worn or displayed as a talisman, possibly used to invoke a particular intention or to ensure the well-being of the household.

Ongoing Excavations and Future Discoveries

The excavation at Ulucak Höyük continues to reveal new aspects of Neolithic life, with each season bringing fresh discoveries that enhance our understanding of early human societies. The pottery and other artifacts unearthed provide crucial evidence of the technological and cultural advancements of the period, while finds like the female statuette offer a more personal glimpse into the beliefs and rituals of the community.

Top image: The figure found at Ulucak Höyük.   Source: Kemalpaşa District Governorship/Anatolian Archaeology

By Gary Manners