Detail of a wooden carving of a female figure

This wooden carving of a female figure, probably a goddess, was found buried in a peat bog at Ballachulish in Inverness-shire. The figure was carved between 730 and 520 BC. This detail shows the figure's right hand.

The right hand of the figure holds a phallic object. This suggests that the figure may have been part of a fertility rite.

When found, the carving on the Ballachulish figure was crisp and sharp, suggesting that it had not lain for long on the surface of the bog. It was probably deliberately buried as part of a ritual.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-100-000-617-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: 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
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:

< 1 of 1 > Back