22th-21th millenium BC

Mammoth ivory

H 10.03 cm

Malta settlement

This elongated figure of a flying bird has a small egg-shaped head and a long neck. The rounded end of the body has a hole drilled from one side. On either side of the body are short, broad projections representing outspread wings. Despite the stylization in modelling, the resemblance to a swan in flight is obvious. Such figurines were worn around the neck, with the bird's head down. They were probably amulets reflecting certain aspects of primitive man's view of the world.