Archaeologists from Muzeul Naţional al Carpaţilor Răsăriteni (MNCR) have revealed the discovery of an unusual Neolithic clay figurine estimated to be about 7,500 years old. The artifact was uncovered during preventive excavations on the outskirts of Sfântu Gheorghe in central Romania, offering new insights into the spiritual beliefs and artistic expression of some of Europe’s earliest farming societies.
The find occurred at the archaeological site of Arcuș – Platoul Târgului (Vásártető), where electrical infrastructure was being extended to serve the nearby Sepsi Arena. As required by law, archaeologists carried out systematic excavations ahead of construction. What began as routine fieldwork soon turned into a significant archaeological breakthrough.
Excavations of a Neolithic settlement dated between 5800 and 5500 BCE revealed house remains, pottery shards, burnt clay fragments, and charcoal layers. Inside one structure more than 7,000 years old, researchers discovered a carefully shaped clay figurine depicting a female figure with arms extended outward.
The settlement is linked to the Starčevo-Criș culture, one of southeastern Europe’s earliest farming cultures. Emerging in the early Neolithic, this cultural group was instrumental in spreading agriculture across the Balkans and into the Carpathian Basin. Its communities were among the first in the region to build permanent villages, grow crops, and domesticate animals.
Although the figurine stands only six centimeters tall, its archaeological importance is considerable. It was made from clay tempered with chaff and sand—a technique that strengthened the material during firing. Baked at high temperatures, the piece acquired a light brick-red hue, while darker brown patches on its surface indicate uneven heating during the firing process.
Although the figurine’s facial features are simple, several details stand out. The eyes are incised in a distinct “V” shape, and a small oval marks the nose. Fine engraved lines suggest long hair, likely styled in a bun—a detail specialists note may represent one of the earliest depictions of a female hairstyle north of the Danube River.
The figure’s arms extend laterally and appear raised, a posture commonly associated in Neolithic symbolic art with prayer, invocation, or ritual gestures. Two small protrusions on the front of the torso clearly indicate the figure’s female identity. Unlike many prehistoric “Venus” figurines, which emphasize fertility with exaggerated hips and other features, the Arcuș figurine presents a slender, simplified silhouette. Its restrained modeling and subtle expressiveness distinguish it from other figurines of the period.
Clay figurines are rare within the Starčevo-Criș culture, making this discovery particularly significant. Most previously documented idols from the culture come from the Banat region or the Criș River basin and emphasize fertility through exaggerated anatomical features. By contrast, the Arcuș figurine’s understated form may reflect a regional stylistic variation or a distinct symbolic purpose.
The figurine’s exact function remains open to interpretation. Archaeologists suggest it may have served as a votive offering, a protective household amulet, or a tool in fertility-related or domestic rituals. The raised-arm posture implies communication with a higher power or participation in communal ceremonial practices. While definitive conclusions are elusive, the figurine offers a rare glimpse into the symbolic world of early agrarian societies.
Dr. Dan-Lucian Buzea, archaeologist at Muzeul Naţional al Carpaţilor Răsăriteni and member of the excavation team, highlighted the figurine’s emotional resonance, noting that such objects provide a tangible connection to the beliefs and inner lives of people who lived thousands of years ago. Despite the millennia that separate us, these early farmers shared a fundamental human impulse: to express faith, identity, and hope through symbolic forms.
