|
This very small [3.5 cm (1.4 in) by 2 cm (0.7 in)] clay "snail" sculpture was found at the Xaghra Circle. The "face" is certainly not of a snail and seems to represent a human face. The "snail's" exaggerated spiral shell makes one think if the idea of the spiral as a reincarnation symbol was taken up by the neolithic mind from snail. The snail hibernates in the shell during dry periods – a sign that could have been taken as dead for the neolithic mind – but comes back to life with the first rains. Many spiral designs are to be found on stone slabs, altars, pottery and ochre designs on the ceilings of the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni. |
|
