A Neolithic Necropolis
Near the Danube River in Romania, archaeologists in 1956 excavated a large cemetery from the Hamangia culture. This Late Neolithic society flourished in the region between 5000 and 4600 BCE. The necropolis, a designated burial area, contained approximately 400 graves. Within one of these graves, two small terracotta figurines were found among the funerary goods, which also included pottery and seashell adornments. Named "The Thinker" and "The Sitting Woman," these objects are different from typical Neolithic art, which usually focused on themes of fertility or hunting.
The two figures, crafted from dark, unglazed clay, are masterpieces of prehistoric art. Their discovery in a burial context suggests they may have been intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife, possibly as representations of mourning or as psychopomps—guides for the spirit. The specific pairing of a male and female figure is also a rarity in the vast number of Neolithic figurines that have been recovered.
Figures in Fired Clay
"The Thinker," or "Gânditorul," is a male figure measuring 11.5 centimeters (4.5 inches) in height. He sits on a small stool, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his head held in his hands. The pose shows a feeling of contemplation or sorrow. This instance of human introspection is considered the oldest of its kind ever discovered. The face is stylized, with a defined nose, a small slit for a mouth, and eyes formed by triangular impressions.
His companion piece, "The Sitting Woman," is expressive; she sits directly on the ground with her hands resting on her right knee, which is bent. Her left leg is extended forward. Like The Thinker, her posture is naturalistic and emotional, a quality that makes these Hamangia artifacts unique for their time. While the original sculptures are displayed at the National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest, the Museum of National History and Archaeology in Constanța, the regional capital, holds other artifacts from the Hamangia culture and details the history of the Dobrogea region where they were found.