Head

The presented clay sculpture of beige and brick depicts a small round human head with an elongated face, a rounded, flat and slightly wavy beard and distinctive ears. It was discovered in Djenne-Jeno, a city of ancient antiquity located in the inner Niger Delta in modern Mali, founded in the 3rd century BC by newcomers from the Sahara. Terracotta sculptures are among the most intriguing archaeological finds from Djenne-Jeno. The purpose of their manufacture is still unclear, although a connection to religion and ritual seems most likely. They could have been placed on domestic altars dedicated to ancestors. They are thought to have been made for several centuries until the 16th century, when a ban was imposed on making such figurines after the 1591 Moroccan invasion. The terracotta items from Djenne-Jeno are mainly human figures, often depicted in a pose of adoration or meditation. Carvings depicting horse riders, and zoomorphic figures, especially snakes, are also known. In addition to anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines, the region was also famous for its vast number of small vessels, jugs and bottles of various shapes and delicate and beautiful finishes. Archaeological excavations have also found large vessels for storing water and grain, used for medical purposes and as urns for human remains. Djenne-Jeno was abandoned for unexplained reasons in the 14th century. Some experts believe that this was due to the emergence of a new religion, Islam, in the region, but it may equally well have been due to an ever-expanding population or the relocation of a trade route to the neighbouring medieval city of Djenne.

Katarzyna Findlik-Gawron