Upon first glance, this pendant may appear to be a shapeless, random object. However, a recent study suggests that this 1.7-inch graphite pendant may have actually been modelled after a phallus. Researchers from the University of Bordeaux analyzed this pendant, which was discovered in the Selenge Basin in northern Mongolia and dates back 42,000 years. If proven true, this pendant would be the earliest known phallic artwork. Yet, not everyone is convinced of its phallic nature, with one expert dismissing it as a small and shapeless object.
Phallic symbols have a long history, found on various Roman objects such as amulets, frescoes, mosaics, and lamps. These symbols were believed to bring good luck and protect against evil spirits. From infants to soldiers, individuals wore phallic charms to invite divine protection. The Metropolitan Museum of Art notes that the phallus held a position of reverence and was part of magical-religious practices. It was represented on lamps, masks, pendants, rings, and various architectural elements. Always preserving its role as a collective protector from potential dangers and evils.
The pendant, discovered in Mongolia in 2016 and estimated to be between 42,400 and 41,900 years old, may not resemble a phallus immediately. However, the researchers point to specific characteristics, such as a defined urethral opening and features distinguishing the glans from the shaft, as evidence of its phallic nature. Solange Rigaud, the lead author of the study, explains that when representing something abstractly, specific features that truly characterize the subject must be chosen.
Additionally, the pendant’s smoothness on one side suggests it may have been worn as a necklace. Furthermore, wear on its surface indicates that it may have been passed down through multiple generations. Despite these findings, the meaning and symbolism of the object remain unclear. Some experts, like Curtis Runnels, an archaeologist at Boston University, remain skeptical of the pendant’s phallic representation and consider it to be a small and shapeless object until further evidence is provided.
In another intriguing discovery, researchers at the Roman fort of Vindolanda have found a peculiar wooden artifact that may have been used during sexual activities. Initially thought to be a darning tool due to its proximity to numerous shoes and dress accessories, this life-size object measuring 6.3 inches has now been suggested to have been a sex toy. Dr. Rob Collins, one of the authors of the study, believes that if proven to be a sex toy, it could be the oldest example found in Britain. This discovery challenges the notion that sex toys are a modern invention, suggesting a much earlier history.
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