Vinča Figurines from Stubline

An absolutely unique discovery in European prehistory, a group of 43 figurines with miniature tools/weapons was found next to the oven in a house. There are 42 figurines of almost identical cylindrical shape with an accentuated nose. Their height varies from 2 to 6 cm. Only one figurine is somewhat larger and more detailed. This group find is usually interpreted as a representation of household members or community from Stubline, a hint of social stratification and hierarchy of the cult group. This is a completely unknown iconographic pattern and totally schematic (abstract) figurine appearance are atypical for the Vinča culture, which indicates that it may represent a group of foreigners. It is quite certain that these figurines were left next to the oven as an act of marking the event of house abandonment. The fact that all prominent European archaeologists have included them in more than 20 scientific papers speaks of the importance of these figurines on a global scale.