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Stone Figurine of Hedgehog

Collection number石002-0177
ProvenanceInland Syria
PeriodBronze Age
Dateca. 3000-1000 BCE
MaterialStone
DimensionL. 8.6 cm
CommentThe hedgehogs inhabit grassy plain zone and the dry zone of Europe, Africa, Western Asia, Russia, and India. They eat insects and the small animals such as a centipede, a frog, and the snake bait. As they hibernate in winter time, they can also estivate in desert area to avoid the heat and drought. A stone vessel in the shape of hedgehog appeared since Neolithic period, about 8000 years ago at Tell Bouqras, Syria. In the cuneiform text of Old Babylonian period (ca. 3500 BP), a pseudo burial ritual was written. In that ritual, hedgehog is buried in the earth praying the dead can travel to the underworld safely. Hedgehog was linked to evil powers because people believed hedgehog as emissary from the underworld.
Classificationstone objects
KeywordsRed, Black
Pretty
Western Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Syria, Northern Syria
Bronze Age
Stone/mineral
Sculpture/Statue, Animal figurine
Creature, Tetrapoda, Hedgehog
資料ID1343

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