Gopher / Otter

This is a hollow animal figurine, which is difficult to interpret. It has a clearly defined head, four legs, back and an abdomen. On the front legs, a special platform was prepared. Thanks to this platform the figure can be independently (without support) put on a plane. However, if we put the figure on the front legs, the hind legs will not reach the plane of about 4-5 mm. On both sides of the head there are convex parts that depict either the cheeks (but there is no drawing of the wool) or the eyes (but no apple of an eye are indicated). The lower part of the body is large and raised. On the sides of the figurine there is a ะก-shaped ornament. The picks are directed upwards, towards the ridge. While studying the item under a microscope, traces of green ink were recorded (possibly, an optical effect).

Material: ivory
Sizes: 122*33 mm
Region: Baikal region
Archeological culture: Mal'ta-Buret' archaeological culture
Site: Mal'ta
Storage location:

The State History Museum

Inventory number: 1822-621

More information:

http://malta.artemiris.org/find/view/13