The mystery of one of the most ancient statues in the history of mankind - sculptures from Ain Ghazal (6 photos)
These are one of the most ancient statues known today (small figurines do not count) in the history of mankind 9000 years old. 
They are attributed to the pre-ceramic Neolithic period - from 7200 to 6250 BC 15 statues and 15 busts were discovered in 1983 and 1985 years in two underground caches, created with a difference of about 200 years at the archaeological site of Ain Ghazal in Jordan. The purpose of these statues is unknown. 
It is surprising that these ancient statues were initially very fragile, these are, in fact, just bundles of reeds smeared plaster, which was given a resemblance to human figures. figures two types: full statues and busts. Some of them are double headed. Height from 30 cm to 104 cm, disproportionately flat, 5 to 10 cm thick and designed for front view only. 
At the same time, the main efforts were invested in modeling heads with wide-open eyes and an iris outlined by bitumen. The statues represent men, women and children; women can be recognized by chest-like features and slightly enlarged bellies, but not masculine, neither the female figures have even a hint of genitals. Some traces of “hair” from grass and prints of clothes (fabrics) on plaster. 
The very method of making statues would not allow them exist for any length of time. This fact and the fact that they were buried in holes dug in the floors of houses abandoned by that time, speaks of that they were made for the purpose of intentional burial, and not for display or worship. 
Perhaps these figures were intended to exorcise spirits, which, after the rite of "expulsion" from people, "moved" into them. This and explains the burial of statues that became dangerous after the ritual.
Alas, we will never know for sure... 
The photographs show exhibits of the Jordanian Museum in Amman and the Archaeological Museum of the Amman Citadel.
