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Archaeological clay human figurine

Unattributed1030/1220

University of Pretoria Museums

University of Pretoria Museums
Pretoria, South Africa

A large archaeological clay human figurine of a female torso excavated from the South African Iron Age archaeological site of K2, block 3, layer 8 dating approximately AD 1030 - AD 1220. Considered to be the largest human clay figurine in the Mapungubwe figurine assemblage and often referred to as the "Venus of the South". The figurine consists of half a torso with inflated navel, both buttocks and right leg. The torso is cylindrical extending from buttock and finishing just above an inflated navel. Both to the right and left of the navel is a dotted decoration. The two dotted lines extend horizontally away from the navel. This decoration is only evident at the front of the figure. Along the spine of the back further dotted decoration is apparent. Directly attached to the torso are both buttocks, the right buttock extends into the leg. The buttocks exhibit steatopygia features. The right leg is cylindrical and straight, there are no other clear anatomical features except for the foot which is flat and moulded in such a way that it continuous from and is slightly exaggerated from the leg. .

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  • Title: Archaeological clay human figurine
  • Creator: Unattributed
  • Date Created: 1030/1220
  • Location Created: South Africa
  • Physical Dimensions: 152.50mm x 72.61mm
  • Type: Artifact
  • Original Source: University of Pretoria Museums
  • Rights: Copyright University of Pretoria
  • Medium: Clay
University of Pretoria Museums

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