Another "Human" Figurine Found at Orkney Dig

The article is not the clearest!  But if I were you, I'd be thinking this figurine looks remarkably like a BIRD GODDESS ...

28 August 2012 Last updated at 06:43 ET

Third 5,000-year-old figurine found at Orkney dig

A third 5,000-year-old hand-carved figurine has been discovered during excavations on Orkney.

 

Archaeologists had previously unearthed two ancient figurines in 2009 and 2010 at the dig at Links of Noltland in Westray.

All three will go on display at the Westray Heritage Centre.

Alasdair McVicar, chair of the Westray Heritage Trust, said: "The discovery of these figurines has really put Westray and the heritage centre on the map."

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "There was understandable excitement when the first figurine, believed to be the earliest artistic representation of the human form ever found in the UK, was found in 2009.

"To now be able to say that two more examples have been uncovered is unprecedented."

Orkney Venus - Update

The eyes of the Goddess are always upon us...

From the Scotsman.com
Orkney Venus dig reaches exciting phase, says expert
Published Date: 29 June 2010

An ARCHAEOLOGICAL dig where the Orkney Venus was found last year has entered an "exciting phase" as excavations resumed.

Archaeologists hope the Links of Noltland dig will reveal more about people who lived on the Orkney island of Westray thousands of years ago.The sand dunes protecting the area have been reduced by winds over the past few decades.

Yesterday project manager Richard Strachan, an archaeologist with Historic Scotland, said: "The project is reaching a very exciting phase, as we race against the wind to recover the archaeological remains of the extensive settlement extending for about 1,000 years from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age.

"We are concentrating on defining the enigmatic and unique cattle skull building uncovered at the end of last season."

The Orkney Venus is the earliest carving of a human figure found in Scotland.

Earlier coverage:

From BBC Online:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8309503.stm
16 October 2009

From Heritage Key:
Archaeologists On Orkney Come Face-to-Face With A Neolithic Scot
Submitted by MalcolmJ on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 14:09

Also from Heritage Key:
Orkney Venus And Holm of Papa Westray Lintel Stone Could be Sisters
Submitted by MalcolmJ on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 19:18

Do you see the eyes of the Goddess in the lintel stone?  These remind me of other neolithic 'bird goddess' eyes I've seen.