REPREZENTĂRI ORNITOMORFE DESCOPERITE ÎN AŞEZAREA DE LA VITĂNEŞTI ‘MĂGURICE’, JUD TELEORMAN
Ornithomorphic Figurines from Vităneşti ‘Măgurice’, Teleorman County

Summary/Abstract: This article presents a number of Eneolithic finds from the Gumelniţa culture settlement at Vităneşti ‘Măgurice’. Among the artefacts discovered are six ornithomorphic figurines. There are two types of figurine. One type is of birds modeled on a socle (the legs) probably representing sitting birds at rest. The second type is represented by relatively flat objects, without a pedestal, with spread wings, probably showing flying birds. A unique figurine from Vităneşti represents a half man - half bird. The figurine is fragmentary showing a part of the legs and torso of an anthropomorphic form. The upper part of the body has laterally spread wings instead of arms. Unfortunately the upper part of the figurine was broken in prehistory. Throughout history birds have inspired complex symbolism including mediators between the sky and earth and representations of the souls of dead people.

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