Every mold of clay tells a story and the viewer of the art piece is open to interpreting the creation through the filters they use to see the world. A man holding his genitals is carved into a Neolithic bench in Turkey was recently announced as the earliest known portrayal of a narrative scene. The relief is approximately 11,000 years old and it was published in the peer-reviewed journal Antiquity.
The display is intended to be a visual representation of how ancient communities kept their values alive. If a good orgasm is in the list of values, the message is clear with the man rubbing his penis. You can either squirm or stare at the piece. It’s still a timeless piece featuring our instinctual desires.
The piece could be seen as shattering the taboo and narrative revolving around sex. The clay figure is unashamed and it’s meant to be seen by a large audience. The location of the piece is in a communal building of an ancient settlement. The figure is indulging in some self-pleasure while entertaining a group.
“The biggest difference is that cave paintings are made in places that are not accessible to everyone—they are hidden and not seen by everyone,” Özdoğan said. “But the Neolithic images must have served in the assembly areas so that everyone can learn the story. Therefore, they can be seen as the first ontological narratives.”
The ancient carved bench was discovered at the site of Sayburç, Turkey, which was mostly hidden under the construction of a modern village in 1949. The carving was found in the remains of a communal building and it was dug out under two houses. According to archaeologists, the size and structural features could indicate that it was a place for special gatherings.
Art pushes out bold stories to a mass audience. Could there be anything bolder than a man clenching onto his masculinity for his dear life?