The Sleeping Lady of Ħal-Saflieni, Prehistoric clay figurine at National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta
The Sleeping Lady of Ħal-Saflieni is a small Neolithic clay figure, about 12 centimeters long, that depicts a reclining female form. The statue rests on her right side on a structured bed and shows elaborate details, especially in the rendering of clothing and the resting furniture.
The artifact was discovered in 1902 within the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground complex that served as a burial site from around 3300 to 3000 BCE. This discovery location shows that such clay figures were an important part of ritual practices during the temple and hypogeum building period.
The figure represents a woman at rest and embodies ideas about femininity from the Neolithic period. The way she is depicted reflects how early societies valued female forms.
The object is displayed at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta and is viewable behind glass in a specially controlled environment. Visitors should allow time for close observation of the fine details, as the figure is small and best appreciated from nearby.
The underside of the clay bed shows patterns that provide insights into ancient furniture making and artistic techniques not as clearly documented in any other object from this period. These details allow archaeologists to understand more about daily life and the craftsmanship skills of the Neolithic population.
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