A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery in Azerbaijan, shedding new light on the cultural transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic period. A small stone human figurine, carved thousands of years ago, was found in Damjili Cave, a well-known archaeological site in the Middle Kura Valley.
This discovery marks the first confirmed Mesolithic human figurine in the South Caucasus, providing valuable insights into early human symbolism and art.
The study‘s lead author, Yoshihiro Nishiaki from the University of Tokyo, suggests that this figurine predates the introduction of Neolithic traditions in the region. Its unique design, which differs from later Neolithic figurines, raises important questions about the symbolic and cultural practices of the people who lived there around 6400 BCE.
Unlike the clay figurines of the Neolithic period, which are commonly found in early farming villages, the Damjili figurine is made of stone. It measures 51 mm in length and 15 mm in width and has an elongated oval shape. Carved lines on the surface suggest facial features, hair, and clothing, though in a highly stylized form.
One of the most striking features is the engraved vertical lines on the head, possibly representing short hair or bangs. A circular pattern on the top might depict a headband or cap.
The lower part of the figurine includes horizontal lines forming a belt-like feature, with vertical lines extending downward, resembling a loincloth or apron. Unlike later Neolithic figurines, it does not display exaggerated body features such as breasts or hips, making its gender identification unclear.
Archaeologists emphasize that this is a one-of-a-kind artifact in the region. While some Mesolithic rock carvings have been found in Gobustan, a site near the Caspian Sea, portable figurines from this period are extremely rare.
Damjili Cave, located in western Azerbaijan, has long been recognized as an important site for studying ancient human settlements. Excavations began in the 1950s and revealed traces of human occupation from the Middle Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods. However, early digs did not uncover well-preserved artifacts.
Between 2016 and 2023, a joint Azerbaijani-Japanese excavation team resumed work at the site. This time, they found a stratified sequence of cultural layers dating back to the Mesolithic period (6500–6000 BCE) and continuing through the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Age. These layers provided a clear timeline of human activity, allowing researchers to date the figurine.
The Mesolithic period, often regarded as a bridge between hunter-gatherer lifestyles and early farming communities, saw major changes in how humans lived and interacted. Understanding these changes is crucial in tracing how Neolithic culture, with its farming-based society, spread into the South Caucasus.
The figurine’s design and craftsmanship suggest it was not part of the Neolithic tradition, which arrived in the region centuries later. The Neolithic way of life, including pottery-making and clay figurine production, was introduced to the South Caucasus around 6000 BCE, likely by migrating communities from the Fertile Crescent (modern-day Middle East).
The discovery of the Damjili figurine indicates that symbolic art existed in the region before the arrival of Neolithic culture. This challenges earlier assumptions that early societies in the South Caucasus lacked artistic expression.
While the exact purpose of the figurine remains unclear, it may have held spiritual, ritualistic, or social significance. Some experts believe it could have been used in ceremonies, while others suggest it may have been a personal or cultural symbol.
Researchers conducted X-ray and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses to examine the figurine’s authenticity and carving methods. These tests revealed that the engravings were deliberately carved using stone tools, confirming the artifact’s Mesolithic origin.
A chemical analysis using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) detected traces of iron in some areas of the figurine, giving it a reddish hue. This raised speculation that the object may have been painted or used in pigment grinding. However, further tests found no evidence of remaining pigment particles, leaving its exact function uncertain.
