Curious Figurines of the Mehrgarh Civilization ~ Greg Giles

Mehrgarh is one of the most important archeological sites ever discovered. This settlement dates back to the Neolithic period of 7000 BCE to circa 2500 BCE, and is located on the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan, Pakistan. Mehrgarh is one of the earliest sites ever discovered with evidence of farming and herding of animals in history rich South Asia. 

The oldest ceramic figurines in South Asia were found here, and it is these figurines which provoke curiosity and discussion among many proponents of the ancient alien theory. These figurines clearly depict females with dark eyes and non-human looking heads and facial features. A number of archaeologists believe these representations to be an artistic choice, but it is interesting that only the heads of these many figurines do not accurately depict the human form, as the bodies of these figures perfectly match human anatomy. 

These figurines occur in all phases of the settlement and were prevalent even before pottery appears, signifying great importance placed on these sculptures. The earliest figurines are of a much simpler design and lack the sophistication of later figurines. By 4000 BC the unique hairstyles and prominent breasts depicted in the figurines become prevalent. The oldest figurines were all female, though depictions of males gradually become more numerous as the Mehrgarh society develops. Many of the female figurines are holding babies, and have been interpreted as depictions of the ‘mother goddess’ by some researchers, though scholars of this period cannot find enough evidence to sufficiently support this theory and can only say with certainty that the intriguing figurines honor female fertility.