Israel Antiquities Authority

Distorted and distinctive. An enlarged nose and knob-like ears enliven this basalt pillar figure. The oversize nose common to these fertility figures reflects the Chalcolithic people’s regard for this organ as the seat of the breath of life, writes author Epstein. Archaeologists have uncovered two types of pillar figures in Golan homes: those with horns, which were used in rituals to increase animals’ fertility, and those without, used to ensure good harvests.