A 12,000-year-old clay figurine discovered in northern Israel may be the earliest known artwork to show an interaction between humans and animals. Unearthed at the Natufian site of Nahal Ein Gev II near the Sea of Galilee, the small sculpture shows a crouching woman with a goose perched on her back, capturing what researchers describe as a scene rich in symbolism and possibly spiritual meaning.
Archaeologists say the figurine provides the earliest documented example of human–animal interaction in art. It also represents the first naturalistic depiction of a woman found in Southwest Asia.
Measuring just 3.7 centimeters (1.46 inches) tall, the piece was crafted from local clay and fired at around 400 degrees Celsius (752 degrees Fahrenheit), indicating an early understanding of pyrotechnology. Traces of red ocher pigment were found on both figures, and a preserved fingerprint, likely from an adult or young adult woman, was detected on the surface.
Ancient ritual context at Natufian settlement
The figurine was uncovered inside the fill of a semicircular stone structure containing burials and ceremonial items.
The site, dated to the Late Natufian period around 12,000 years ago, belongs to a culture that marked the shift from nomadic foraging to settled village life in the region. According to archaeologists, the find highlights how early communities used art to express complex ideas, long before the development of agriculture.
The artifact was analyzed using a combination of microscopic and chemical techniques. Researchers noted the sculptor’s use of light and shadow to create depth, an approach that reflects a sophisticated artistic style typically associated with later periods.
Earliest figurine showing human-animal interaction in art
Laurent Davin, who led the excavation and co-authored the study, explained that the figurine is significant not only for its age but also for what it reveals about early human creativity.
Leore Grosman, head of the project and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said the object reflects a turning point in human culture, where imagination and symbolic thinking began to influence daily life and beliefs.
Findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences point to a broader spiritual meaning behind the sculpture. While geese were commonly hunted during the Natufian period, the bird in this depiction appears alive and engaged.
Faunal remains at the site, including decorated feathers and goose bones shaped into ornaments, suggest the bird held ceremonial value.
Researchers believe the figurine embodies early myth-making and reflects animistic beliefs that viewed humans and animals as spiritually connected.
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