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Ain Sakhri Lovers

Ain Sakhri Lovers is the title given to a 10.2 cm sculpture from a series of figurines discovered by René Neuville in 1933 in one of the Ain Sakhri caves near Bethlehem. The sculpture is dated to around 9000 BC and is considered the oldest known representation of two people engaged in a sexual relationship. The source text presents it as an important prehistoric work because of both its age and its subject matter.

Ain Sakhri Lovers stone sculpture with two rounded lobes on a dark base.
The Ain Sakhri Lovers sculpture shown upright on metal supports against a blurred background.
March 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ain Sakhri Lovers stone sculpture on a metal stand.
The Ain Sakhri Lovers sculpture displayed on a simple metal stand.
December 2016 © Geni · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ain Sakhri Lovers stone figurine with two rounded forms on top and a tapering, intertwined lower section.
The Ain Sakhri Lovers figurine, shown as a light-toned stone carving against a reddish-orange background.
March 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ain Sakhri Lovers stone carving with intertwined rounded forms against a reddish-orange background
The Ain Sakhri Lovers stone carving shown as intertwined, rounded forms on a reddish-orange background.
© Geni · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ain Sakhri Lovers stone figurine with intertwined rounded forms against an orange background
The Ain Sakhri Lovers, a small stone figurine with intertwined forms suggesting two embracing figures.
February 2012 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleAin Sakhri lovers
Alternative namesFigurine of the lovers of Ain Sakhri; Die Liebenden von Ain Sakhri; Les Amants de Ain Sakhri; Ain Sakhri figurine; Ain Sakhri Lovers
TypeSculpture, figurine, Natufian sculpture, stone sculpture, statuette

Historical context

DateApproximately 11,000 years ago (c. 9,000 BC)
Cultural attributionNatufian culture
Historical significancePossibly the oldest known representation of two people engaged in sexual intercourse

Creator

MakerA Natufian person

Discovery and provenance

Discovered byRené Neuville
Discovery date1933
Discovery contextNeuville found it while examining chance finds in a small museum of French clergy in Bethlehem
FindspotOne of the Ain Sakhri caves near Bethlehem, in Wadi Jareitun/Wadi Hariton/Wadi Khareitoun
Name originNamed after the Ain Sakhri caves where it was found
ProvenanceBedouin finds from Wadi Jareitun/Wadi Hariton/Wadi Khareitoun, then linked to the Ain Sakhri caves
Initial identificationNeuville immediately recognized its importance, with Abbé/Henri Breuil present
Post-discovery ownershipAfter Neuville's death in 1952, it was sold at Sotheby's in 1958 by M. Y. Neuville and purchased by the British Museum

Location and ownership

Current locationBritish Museum, London

Physical characteristics

Height10.2 cm
SubjectTwo human figures, apparently a couple facing each other
Sex of figuresUncertain; only presumed
Visible detailsNo facial details are shown
FormClearly phallic in character

Materials

MaterialCalcite pebble (stone)

Technique

TechniqueCarved from a single calcite pebble/cobble using a stone-point tool

Appearance

Perspective-dependent appearanceIts appearance changes depending on the viewer's angle
Possible interpretationsDepending on the angle, it may resemble a couple, male or female genitalia, breasts, or two testicles
Artistic assessmentConsidered an ingenious / cleverly made sculpture

Iconography and meaning

DepictionA sexual embrace / human coitus
InterpretationThought to have had a domestic rather than funerary function
Marc Quinn's commentHe compared its angle-dependent appearance to a modern pornographic film with close-ups and long shots

Other

Associated archaeologyExcavations in the caves showed Natufian domestic occupation and earlier use as a hearth / dwelling site
Natufian context noteThe Natufians hunted gazelles, gathered seeds, and are described as among the first people to domesticate dogs, sheep, and goats