Posted on 08/20/2009 5:58:55 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The face and its lozenge-shaped body -- measuring just 3.5cm by 3cm -- were carved on the Orkney island of Westray between 4,500 and 5,000 years ago. The enigmatic figurine had lain undisturbed in the earth at the Links of Noltland -- one of Orkney's richest archaeological sites -- until just last week... Scotland's culture minister Mike Russell... "What we are seeing here is the earliest known human face in Scotland. It once again emphasises the tremendous importance of Orkney's archaeology." The figurine was unearthed by Jakob Kainz, one of a team of archaeologists working at Historic Scotland's excavations on an ancient farmhouse at the Links of Noltland site -- a prehistoric settlement in the dune system flanking Grobust Bay, on the north-west coast of Westray... Careful examination revealed a face with heavy brows, two dots for eyes and an oblong for a nose. A pair of circles on the chest are being interpreted as representing breasts, and arms have been etched at either side. A pattern of crossed markings could suggest the fabric of clothing.
[and now the punchline] Mr Strachan said: "There is a strong possibility that it has been a votive offering to mark the abandonment of the site. It may have been for ceremonial purposes."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.scotsman.com ...
Maybe it was a chess piece.
I truly hate the rubbish these researchers types come up with to explain the things they find. Bunch of generational elitist baloney.
Back further than you'd expect. These folks (The Mummies Of Urumchi) had tartan too.
Dating as far back as 4,000 years, they were made by accident--naturally--by the dry climate in the salty Tarim basin. The oldest mummies from Cherchen found so far died about 3,000 years ago, while the oldest mummies found near Loulan died about 4,000 years ago.
They kilt the last guy who said that. ;)
Ha'e ye no shame, laddie?
Covered here in 2001.
The Curse Of The Redheaded Mummy
"They're not quite as old as the Scottish figurine, though (4500 to 5000 years old): "
Yup. Not as old...I was astonished about their location. The author of the book, The Mummies Of Urumchi, Elizabeth Barber is a fabric expert and she said that the weave, mfg techniques, ect were exactly like those used in Scotland.
Thanks for the link to your 2003 post. I’ll read it soon...
Poor guy - he had to wait thousands of years to have the English to hate.
Did he have a blue silk ribbon?
Well, he is called ‘first Scot’... ;’)
I claymore attention that way.
Chess doesn’t go back that far, but it could be a game piece of some sort.
I was wondering how far back chess was considered to exist.
So, how do they decide if it was a chess piece unless they find a mostly complete set, how would they know?
Probably it’s a ceramic toy soccer player. ;’)
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