Material: mammoth ivory
Dimensions (height): head – 66 mm, torso – 138 mm, arm – 98 mm
Exhibit type: copy of original (plaster)
Archaeological site: Brno II, Francouzská street, Moravia
Collection: Moravian Museum in Brno, Czech Republic
The carving of a male figurine from ivory, also known more colloquially as the “Shaman Puppet”, is one of the most remarkable artefacts of the Moravian Palaeolithic. It was discovered on the street Francouzskáin central Brno, in the ritual grave of a man (Brno 2 site) in 1891. The grave goods were particularly handsome. The skeleton was covered by mammoth scapulae and tusks, while beside it were found the ribs of a rhinoceros. In addition to the figurine, beside the body were found about 600 pendants made from Tertiary mollusc shells, two perforated stone discs of marlstone, and several symbolic targets made from ivory and a mammoth scapula.
Of the figure itself, probably constructed as some kind of puppet, only three parts have been preserved: the head, left arm and the body. The head has been preserved the best, and shows us realistic features such as traces of a haircut, eyebrow arches and a nose. The body is in a fragmentary state, with the right side being better preserved. Only one of the limbs has survived – the left arm, bearing indications of a shoulder and elbow joint. All parts were originally connected, meaning that they combined to create a movable puppet, which based on analogic theory dating from the beginning of the 20th century referring to a Siberian statue might have been used as a Shamanic aid.
