42,000-Year-Old Oblong Artifact Could Be the Earliest Known Phallic Figurine in the World

Archaeologists speculate that humans may have adorned themselves with phallic amulets long before the Romans and Greeks did so, believing it brought good fortune. An ancient elongated artifact, crafted approximately 42,000 years ago, displays a carving resembling a phallus and is considered by some experts as possibly the oldest phallic figurine ever discovered.

What Is This Mysterious Artifact From Mongolia?

Despite not all objects resembling penises being intended as such, not all researchers are convinced by this particular ornament's interpretation. Boston University archaeologist Curtis Runnels, who was not involved in the study, told Science that the shape of the ornament appears rather formless, making it difficult to associate it with a sexual organ at first glance.

However, archaeologist Solange Rigaud from the University of Bordeaux and her colleagues argue that the key lies in the intricate details of the ornament.

Known as T21, it was initially discovered at an archaeological site in Mongolia in 2016 but has recently been examined more closely. Estimated to be around 39,500 to 42,200 years old, placing it in the Upper Paleolithic period, the ornament features two grooves crafted with a pointed stone tool.

According to Science Alert, the deepest groove encircles the midsection of the ornament, while the other runs shorter but deeper from the top. Researchers propose that the former groove represents the glans of a penis, while the latter groove is intended to resemble a urethral opening.

Similar features are observed in a 28,000-year-old 20-centimeter-long stone pebble found in Germany, considered one of the earliest depictions of male sexuality. This German artifact, possibly used as a tool for flint knapping, shares similarities with the Mongolian ornament.

Although the Mongolian artifact does not offer a clear resemblance, if the researchers' interpretation is accurate and it indeed represents a penis, it could be the earliest known symbolic representation of human genitalia.

The opposite side of the ornament is flat and polished, indicating frequent wear and suggesting it may have been worn as a pendant on someone's chest, held in place by a cord wrapped around the middle groove. The researchers note that the wear pattern supports the notion that it was in contact with soft material for an extended period.

Purpose of Phallic Artifacts in Cultures

Throughout various periods in history, phallic symbols have been discovered on a wide array of objects, ranging from decorative furniture to wall prints. These emblems were once believed to offer protection against evil, and it was even common for babies to wear penis-shaped ornaments around their necks as a form of good luck, as noted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The museum describes how the phallus held a significant role in religious and magical practices, appearing on items such as lamps, masks, pendants, rings, walls, corners, balconies, doors, baths, and more, serving as a collective protector against potential dangers and malevolent forces.

The purpose of the pendant found in Mongolia remains uncertain. As per Science Alert, it is unlikely to have served as a signal and may have been worn for personal or spiritual reasons, reflecting a tradition of wearing phallic symbols that could date back thousands of years.

While personal ornaments have been found in Eurasia from around 45,000 years ago, the depiction of human figures comes later in the archaeological records of the region. Although there is a possibility of practical intentions, researchers believe the most plausible interpretation is that it represents a simplified phallus.