First Human Figurine of the Mesolithic Era (Circa 9000 Years Old) Discovered in Azerbaijan's Damjili Cave

Arkeonews
20 April 2025

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the Damjili Cave in Azerbaijan’s Gazakh district: the first human figurine from the Mesolithic era.

Dr. Yagub Mammadov, head of the Azerbaijani-Japanese Damjili International Archaeological Expedition at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), confirmed the finding, as reported by local media. This figurine marks a significant milestone in understanding the Neolithization of the South Caucasus, revealing that this transformative process occurred in stages rather than as a singular event.

The figurine, which is unlike any other found in Mesolithic sites along the Kura River or throughout the Caucasus region, was unearthed during joint Azerbaijani-Japanese archaeological excavations in 2023. Mammadov noted that similar human figurines have not yet been found in the known Mesolithic sites on the Kura River and its environs, as well as in the Caucasus as a whole.

The newly discovered stone figurine, dated to the late 7th millennium BCE, is an elongated piece made from hard sandstone, featuring intricate engravings that depict a human figure. The stone figurine measures just 51 mm in length and 15 mm in width. It features intricate engravings that depict a human figure with a neat hairstyle and a belt with engraved lines, but notably lacks facial features. The question of whether this figurine symbolizes a man or a woman remains a subject of debate among researchers. The figurine was meticulously studied at a museum in Japan using modern laboratory techniques to gain further insights into its origins and significance.

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