Crafting three-dimensional objects out of clay,the production of human figurines emerged in the Mesopotamia as early as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period,and continued through the Chalcolithic period.The majority of this type of artifacts were found from pits or adjacent to buildings;only a small number of cases were found in tombs.The morphology of human figurines experienced four phases of development and display distinct regional features:those from the northern region feature salient sexuality of females;those from the central region feature elaborate decoration,and detailed facial description;the southern ones display slender bodies,and faces with animal traits.As they have been discovered in great quantity and were used for a long time,one may consider that the human figurines were an important part of the contemporary daily life.This study also highlights that not all of them represent goddesses.In addition,some may have been media of household rituals and private properties.
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