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Seated Female Figurine
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Rider and Horse or Camel Figurine
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Human Torso and Left arm. Two different ways were used to make the figurines depending on their complexity. They were either modelled as a solid object or made from different parts that were fitted together using joints. Arms and legs were sometimes model
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Combined Human and Animal Head
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Chameleon. In northern Ghana today the chameleon is seen as an omen, perhaps of bad news such as an impending death, or of good news such as possible prosperity, particularly if two are seen facing each other. Elsewhere in West Africa it is sometimes rega
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Crocodile. Stylised but identifiable crocodile figurine. The legs were made separately and added to the body, as the socket where the leg is missing indicates. Crocodiles were widely found in West African rivers until recently. It is possible that this fi
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Standing bird figurine of unknown species with incised wing and tail feathers. The eyes, as with many of the figurines, are accentuated. Perhaps this figurine served a symbolic purpose in structuring aspects of human relations. Perhaps it was just a toy,
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Three Fragments of a Bird. Two of the fragments of this standing bird join together, and the third fragments seems also to belong to the same figurine. It is very similar to the complete example, but this bird might have been deliberately broken into piec
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Tail and Rear Body of Unidentified Creature. Part of the rear portion and tail of a large unidentified animal made from coarse clay. The ridges of the spine and where it meets the upper part of the tail are accentuated with a double row of carefully made
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Reptile or Mythical Creature. Almost complete large reptile or mythical creature. The sockets suggest it once had a separately modelled legs. As with many of the figurines emphasis is placed on the open mouth. The appliquéd clay spots could be decorative,
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Janus Lid. A unique lid or cover surmounted by a Janus head. Four handles (three remain) were added separately. These helped in handling the object but might also be symbolic limbs. There are traces of a pinkish red slip decoration on both the interior an
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Stylised Androgynous Human Head. This has incised nostrils, ear cavities, and an incision into the top of the cone/head. Research into these figures stopped in the late 1980s but resumed in 2006 under the direction of Professor Benjamin Kankpeyeng with th
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Four Faced Janus. The symbolic power of this image can still be felt even though partly damaged. The four faces with their open mouths and modelled tongues are surmounted by a square all-seeing eyes, and above, the break where the topknot would have been.
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Standing Female. This stylised female figurine is crudely modelled and cannot stand upright without support. The head is missing but the breasts suggest it is female. The waist belt and modesty apron are similar to those used by some women in the region u
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Stylised Double Torso. A highly stylised double torso is depicted. The upper section is broken off and it can be seen that the figurine is solid. The naval hernia is particularly noticeable on both sides. The recurrent emphasis of this bodily feature foun
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Standing Anthropomorphic Figurine. The posture of this figurine is the element being emphasised here by the maker, rather than detailed modelling of the features or bodily adornments. The individual is standing to attention and this is perhaps connected w
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Large Head. An elaborate crested 'Mohican' hairstyle is modelled on this head, which is less stylised than many recovered. The gender is unclear, but the expressive open mouth might depict pain, sorrow, ritual or other speech, or be for receiving libation
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Pair of Stylised Male Heads. Found in association with each other, these figurines are similar in depicting a bearded male wearing some form of cap. Except for one, the ear cavities are blocked with earth, which has occurred after they were buried. They a
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Janus Head. The heads have open mouths, perhaps representing speech or sound or to receive something. Only the ears have shallow incisions. Internationally, the Koma figurines have been added to the ICOM Red List, a register maintained by the Internationa
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Torso Fragment. This fragment seems to be from a female figurine. Breasts are depicted, as are three bracelets on the left upper arm, one on the wrist, a necklace, and a skin or cloth skirt. Some of the incised holes and cavities seen on Computed Tomograp
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Anencephalic Head. This head clearly indicates an individual with anencephaly, a fatal birth defect in which a baby is born missing parts of the brain and skull. The protruding eyes, flattened head, enlarged upper lip and pinched or dog-like ears indicate
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Stylised Janus Head. Very stylised Janus head where attention is given to the eyes and to decorating the topknot. The figurine is broken at the mouth line but the mouths seem also to have been modelled, though the nose and nostrils were not. The Janus cha
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#MMKoma
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Part of a Large Decorated Clay Cylinder. Part of a figurine modelled from a single piece of clay. This is one of the largest found. Significant pieces of quartz and laterite gravel are evident in the broken section. The sinewy motifs modelled on three sid
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Combined Human and Bird with Pointed Base. Stylised pointed human head with incised wings added to the body. The pointed base suggests it was made to be inserted into or used with something else. Local interpretations suggest it represents a witch or some
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Janus Head. Stylised Janus head with a topknot protruding from the skull of a form frequently found on this figurine type. Attention has been paid to modelling the mouth and tongue, and the ears are placed and incised in an unusual position. The gender is
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Body of a Bird. Realistic body of a bird with the head missing. It appears to be roosting or sitting on the nest as the legs are not modelled. The two wings are depicted under the body, and the protrusion on the rear underside of the body might indicate i
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Human Arm and Hand. Left arm and hand that has been separately modelled for later attachment to a human figurine. On the reverse are the joints that connected the arm to the torso. The handle of what seems to be a dagger is modelled on the upper arm near
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Stylised Head. The nose is uncharacteristically thin, though the pointed chin is found on the other heads. The nostrils and ears have shallow incisions. The individual is shown wearing a boat-shaped, flat-topped cap. (Fragmentary Ancestors, The Manchester