7,000-year-old clay figurine discovered in Italy (4 photos)

Archaeologists from the Sapienza University of Rome found in Battifratta Cave, located near Poggio Nativo in the region Sabina (Lazio), figurine with female features. Age of find approximately 7000 years old, it was created in the Neolithic era, when The first agricultural communities appeared on the peninsula.





A press release from the Sapienza University of Rome states that such artifacts are very rare in Italy and practically absent in archaeological record of the Tyrrhenian slope.

The Battifratta Cave is located on the territory of the commune Poggio Nativo, in the area of Casali, in the valley of the Riano river. At her entrance beats source, the cave has a labyrinth of underground chambers adorned with stalagmites and stalactites.



Explorations in the Battifratta Cave are part of a more a large-scale project carried out by the Sapienza Great Excavations Foundation, who studies prehistoric settlements in the Farfa Valley and adjacent its territories.

At the moment, scientists are exploring "technological and stylistic aspects" of the figurine in order to better understand how it was done. Facial features are only schematically outlined, more attention to the master devoted to hair and body decoration.





Dr. Cecilia Conati from Sapienza University commented: "When the presence of ceramics is combined with faunistic and botanical finds, as well as with the discovery human skeleton next to the figurine, secrets are revealed. All this says that the source of the cave was used not only for water supply, but also for funeral and ritual purposes.



7000 years ago Battifratta cave served as a refuge and protection for ancient people who were engaged in hunting, gathering and elementary agriculture. Although there is no evidence of ancient rituals in the cave so many, the clay figurine suggests that she used for ceremonial purposes.