Accession No
1953.258.7
Description
Stylized human figurines of clay. Notched head. Pronounced concave base, squat body.
Place
Africa; East Africa; Sudan; Jebel Moya
Period
Stratum C c. 3000-2000 BC Late Neolithic
Source
Wellcome, Henry (Sir) [excavator and bequeather]
Department
Arch
Reference Numbers
1953.258.7; 907
Cultural Affliation
Material
Clay
Local Term
Measurements
22mm x 22mm x 40mm Weight 0.011kg
Events
Context (Analysis)
Catalogue card for 1953.210-424 and Z 31677-83 states a date of Neolithic, 1000-c.300 BC.
Event Date
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Context (Analysis)
Information extracted from the original Context field dated the material to various dates; ?9th century-?3rd century BC, 11th-?4th century BC, and 1000-300 BC. The Period field stated 'Meroitic' which shall remain at present. More investigation of the material will have to be undertaken to fully assess and date the objects.
Event Date
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Context (Field collection)
Excavated during the Wellcome expedition 1910-1914. Found at Site 100, no stratification given. Excavated by in ?1910 or ?1911.
Event Date 1910
Author: Lucie Carreau
Context (Field collection)
Excavated from Site 100 in 1912-1913.
Event Date 1912
Author: Lucie Carreau
Context (Acquisition Details)
Donated to MAA in 1946 by the Trustees of Sir Henry Wellcome.
Event Date 1946
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Context (References)
Addison, Frank. (1949). Jebel Moya. The Wellcome Expedition in the Sudan. vol. I Text, vol. II Plates. Oxford University Press: London. pl. LXII
Event Date 1949
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card for 1953.258 [1-11]: 'Crude human figurines of clay, some of phallic form. It is thought that these may have been of ritual or magic significance...'
Event Date 1953
Author: Lucie Carreau
Description (Physical description)
[one of] 11 fragments of figurines, or pottery objects. One appears to be a humanoid body and head, two human legs, rest are unidentifiable (22/3/2002 - S. Webb).
Event Date 22/3/2002
Author: Lucie Carreau
Description (Physical description)
Isabelle Vella Gregory: 'Cylindrical: Notched head. Pronounced concave base, squat body'
Event Date 3/2019
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Context (Analysis)
In March 2019, Dr. Isabelle Vella Gregory studied the Jebel Moya figurines at MAA. She provided measurements and new dating of this material and an updated description. The Period field previously stated 'Meroitic' but since Dr Gregory's analysis this has been updated to 'Stratum C; c. 3000-2000 BC; Late Neolithic' (as defined in other parts of the Sudan). Information regarding her analysis can be found in the archive, Doc.491.
Event Date 3/2019
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Description (Labels & Markings)
Marked in black ink: '907. 1912-13'.
Event Date 12/3/2019
Author: Lucie Carreau
Description (Physical description)
Stylized human figurines of clay.
Event Date 12/3/2019
Author: Lucie Carreau
Context (References)
Vella Gregory, Isabelle. (2021). 'Re-examining Jebel Moya figurines: new directions for figurine studies in Sudan'. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa. pp. 1-26. p. 13 fig. 7.
Event Date 2021
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
FM:283227
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