Middle Bronze Age Syro-Hittite Fertility Goddess | 2200–1800 B.C.E.

This evocative terracotta figurine represents a Syro-Hittite fertility goddess, dating to the Middle Bronze Age (2200–1800 B.C.E.). Hand-formed from natural clay, the figure emphasizes exaggerated feminine features such as wide hips, pronounced breasts, and a rounded abdomen—symbols deeply associated with fertility, motherhood, and the life-giving power of the earth.

Her head is adorned with a series of stylized nodules or braids, and the body is marked by deliberate punctures that may have been part of ritual decoration or symbolic intent. Figurines like this one were commonly kept in homes or buried beneath doorposts, serving as protective talismans to promote the fertility and health of the household’s women.

SIZE: H. 13.5 cm

CONDITION: Rejoined at the neck

The Middle Bronze Age was a dynamic era in the ancient Near East, marked by the rise of powerful city-states, international trade, and the formation of complex religious and political systems. In the Syro-Hittite region—stretching across modern-day northern Syria and southeastern Turkey—this period saw the development of distinct local cultures influenced by both Mesopotamian and Anatolian traditions.

During this time, fertility and domestic cults played a central role in everyday life. The household was not only the center of family and economy but also a sacred space where people sought divine protection and blessing—especially in matters of childbirth and lineage. Figurines like this one were intimately tied to those beliefs, serving as spiritual guardians intended to ensure the continuity and prosperity of the family.

The Middle Bronze Age also laid the groundwork for the later rise of larger empires, including the Hittites and the Hurrians, whose religious traditions would continue to evolve and influence surrounding civilizations, including those mentioned in the Bible.

Terracotta (Baked Clay)

This fertility goddess is crafted from terracotta, a material made by shaping natural clay and firing it in a kiln. Terracotta was the most common medium for creating household figurines in the ancient Near East due to its wide availability, ease of use, and durability.

The clay used for this figurine was likely gathered locally, then hand-molded into a stylized female form. After drying, it was fired at a low temperature, resulting in a hardened yet porous structure. The surface shows signs of mineral deposits and wear, consistent with burial or long-term placement in a domestic setting.

In ancient Syro-Hittite culture, terracotta figures carried both symbolic and spiritual significance. The very act of forming the figure from the earth—maternal and life-giving—mirrored the goddess's purpose: to promote fertility, protect women, and ensure the continuation of family life.

The Private Collection of the late M. Baidun. 1970’s