Body Like a Goddess

Not much is known about this statue, but the place where this was found was a cultural hub of philosophy and hedonism, valuing the pursuit of pleasure

350 – 325 BC (2,800 years old)

Clay, 14cm

Made in Attica

Found in Libya

While this figure may represent a Mother Goddess, she may also represent death and eternal sleep, completing the circle of life.

The Sleeping Lady of Ħal Saflieni,

5000 – 5300 years old

Clay and red ochre, 12cm

Unlike most of the others, this figurine is likely not a goddess, but rather an older woman who was highly respected. Large and made of valuable marble, she is a worthy effigy.

8000-8300 years old

Marble, 17cm

Found at Çatalhöyük, Turkey

This statue is abundant with iconography. She gives birth while sitting on a throne adorned with animal heads, positioning her her as a Mother Goddess and Mistress of Animals.

Seated Woman of Çatalhöyük

Baked Clay, 12cm

Approx. 8000 years old

Found at Çatalhöyük, Turkey

Front photo by Nevit Dilmen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Many of these figures have been found at the ancient city of Çatalhöyük. Even with agriculture, food security and fertility were of primary importance until the very recent past.

Baked Clay

Approximately 8000 Years Old

Found at Çatalhöyük, Anatolia, Turkey

They might have had religious importance, for fertility or prosperity. The horn this woman holds has 13 notches which might be related to the moon or menstruation and ovulation

Venus of Laussel

Limestone, ochre

Approx. 25,000 Years old, 46 cm tall

Found in Dordogne, France

We don’t know much about them, but they do appear to be special to those that made them. They are often made of special materials sourced from faraway places.

Venus of Willendorf

25,000-35,000 years old

Limestone, red ochre 11cm

Found in Austria

The earliest surviving evidence of our experiments with new mediums are often these little sculptures. This is one of the oldest known objects made of ceramic.

Venus of Dolní Věstonice

27,000 – 31,000 years old

Ceramic, 11cm tall

Found in Czechia

While we do not really know when humanity first developed art, the first depictions of human figures are often of fat women.

Venus of Hohle Fels

35,000-40,000 years old

Mammoth ivory, 6cm

Found in Germany

The scale of time when these sculptures were made is difficult for a human mind to comprehend. Fat women have been appreciated and revered in art since art began. The modern view is the outlier, not the norm.

Image Rights (Top to Bottom)

Photo by Louvre Museum, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Rob Koopman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo from Mellaart 1967, Çatal Hüyük: A Neolithic Town in Anatolia 145, plate 79, used under fair dealing

Photo by Nevit Dilmen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Jason Quinlan, used under fair dealing

Photo by 120, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Petr Novák, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo copyright Smithsonian Institution, used under fair dealing