# Symbolic clay figurines change our understanding of the prehistoric Middle East

- Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories
- Published: 2026-11-11T19:00:29+00:00
- Category: Science
- Original: https://phys.org/news/2026-11-clay-figurines-prehistoric-middle-east.html
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/symbolic-clay-figurines-change-our-understanding-of-the-prehistoric-mi-727f78/

Newly discovered artifacts are evidence of the earliest known example of a tradition of making clay figurines in the Middle East—and challenge long-held beliefs about when and how clay began to be used for symbolic purposes in the region, according to a study published in PLOS One by Laurent Davin from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and colleagues.

_Ground Level News shows a short summary only; the full article and all rights belong to Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories._