In ancient Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq and eastern Syria) and Anatolia (modern Turkey) clay was used for making bricks, pottery, tools, figurines and recording information. These baked clay figurines are all from Mesopotamia, some as long ago as 2500 BC. The oldest, on the top shelf, were made as handles for so-called “mother goddess” jars. Those underneath, some mass produced in moulds, were probably intended to provide magical protection in the home.
Thanks to @ablakewalker for sharing this photo of the figurines on temporary display outside Elizabeth Price’s video installation A RESTORATION, created in response to the Ashmolean’s archives and collections. You’ve only got until next Sunday 15 May to see the 18-minute film!











