Wooden carving of a female figure

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This wooden figure was found buried in the peat at Ballachulish, Lochaber, covered with the remains of a wickerwork structure. It was probably an idol associated with fertility. Modern dating methods have shown that it dates from between 730 and 520 BC.

The female figure holds a phallic object over her abdomen. It was waterlogged when found and split on drying, which greatly distorted its original form. The eyes retain their quartzite pebbles but the nose has broken off.

The Ballachulish figure is female and probably represents a goddess. But who she was, or what she represented, is unknown. The peat bog where she was found, which overlooks the entrance to a sea loch, was probably a sacred place.

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-098-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KL 54
• Date: Between 730 and 520 BC
  Late Bronze Age, 725 - 500 BC
  
• Material: Wood, oak, with quartzite pebbles for eyes
  Carving / figure / female
  
• Dimensions: 1390 mm H x 145 mm L x 190 mm W
  
• What: Carving / figure / female
  
• Subject: Carved woodwork, painted ceilings (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Inverness-shire, Nether Lochaber, Ballachulish
  
• Event:
• Description: Figure of a female in oak, the oldest human figure from Scotland, from Ballachulish, 725 - 500 BC
  
• References:
  • Lochaber' multimedia programme, NMS 1995 
• Translations:
• Related Records: