Idol of Pomos
Encyclopedia
The Idol of Pomos, is a prehistoric
sculpture
from the Cypriot
village
of Pomos
.
It dates back to the Chalcolithic
period, circa the 30th century BC
.
The sculpture is on display in the Cyprus Archeological Museum
in Lefkosia (Nicosia).
with her arms spread. It was probably used as a fertility
symbol. Many similar sculpture have been found on Cyprus. Smaller versions were worn as amulet
s around the neck, just as this idol wears (a small copy of) itself.
. The Idol, as a good example of Cypriot prehistoric art
, was chosen to be displayed on the Cypriot euro coins
of 1 and 2 euro.
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
from the Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
of Pomos
Pomos
Pomos is a village in the Paphos District of Cyprus, located 17 km northeast of Polis Chrysochous.Despite being one of the most remote villages of Cyprus it hosts several cultural events and festivities.The famous Idol of Pomos was discovered there....
.
It dates back to the Chalcolithic
Copper Age
The Chalcolithic |stone]]") period or Copper Age, also known as the Eneolithic/Æneolithic , is a phase of the Bronze Age in which the addition of tin to copper to form bronze during smelting remained yet unknown by the metallurgists of the times...
period, circa the 30th century BC
30th century BC
The 30th century BC is a century which lasted from the year 3000 BC to 2901 BC.-Events:* Before 3000 BC: Image of a deity, detail from a cong recovered from Tomb 12, Fanshan, Yuyao, Zhejiang, is made. Neolithic period. Liangzhu culture...
.
The sculpture is on display in the Cyprus Archeological Museum
Cyprus Museum
The Cyprus Museum is the oldest and largest archaeological museum in Cyprus.The museum houses artefacts discovered during numerous excavations on the island. The museum is home to the most extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities in the world and is located on Museum Street in central Nicosia...
in Lefkosia (Nicosia).
Symbolism
The sculpture represents a womanWoman
A woman , pl: women is a female human. The term woman is usually reserved for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent...
with her arms spread. It was probably used as a fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
symbol. Many similar sculpture have been found on Cyprus. Smaller versions were worn as amulet
Amulet
An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
s around the neck, just as this idol wears (a small copy of) itself.
Euro
In 2008 Cyprus adopted the EuroEuro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
. The Idol, as a good example of Cypriot prehistoric art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, was chosen to be displayed on the Cypriot euro coins
Cypriot euro coins
Cypriot euro coins feature three separate designs for the three series of coins. Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004, and is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union...
of 1 and 2 euro.