Archaeology

The Woman with the Perforated Neck, also known as the 'Janus' because the face is depicted on both sides of the flattened figurine is a Venus figurine carved from dark green steatite. It was discovered in the Balzi Rossi caves at a depth of 6m. It is 62mm long and is dated to 17 000 ± 180 BP attributed to the Epigravettian as it was found in a later of hearts which were carbon-dated.

Perforatedneckvenus

The Woman with the Perforated Neck

Appearance[]

The head is flat and circular, with the eyes and mouth carved on the front and back of the head. There are no forearms, and the breasts are oval-shaped. There is a prominent belly, and the buttocks are flattened. A small open vulva has been carved, and the knees and feet are indistinct or absent. It is perforated through the neck.