The Adam of Macedonia is regarded as on of the most important archaeological finds. It was found in the village of Govrlevo, near Skopje in North Macedonia. Dated to the Neolithic era, it depicts a seated male in a realistic manner, difficult to find in the statues of the period. Its impressive anatomical details and realist approach has made it a subject of interest and attention in the scientific circles.
Table of Contents
S1 – Discovery
Adam of Macedonia, also known as Adam of Govrlevo, was discovered in a small village named Govrlevo, near Skopje in North Macedonia. It was found in the year 2000 by Macedonian archaeologist Milos Bilbija from the Skopje City Museum, where it now resides. The Adam of Macedonia is regarded as one of the most important archaeological finds and it immediately received the epithet of ‘Millennium Discovery’.
S2 – Description
The statue has been created in a realistic manner, unlike most other Neolithic finds. It depicts a male torso in a seated position with a stressed spine and deeply indented abdomen. Due to this, it is interpreted as a representation of diaphragmatic breathing, which is an essential preparation for deep meditation. Adam of Macedonia has surprising anatomical details for the time it was created. It has well defined muscles, ribs, navel and a broken phallus. The statuette is regarded as a monumental masterpiece.
S3 – Age
Radiocarbon dating of Adam of Macedonia suggests that it was created in 5478 BCE. With an age of more than 7,000 years, the statue is the oldest one with specific features found in the Macedonian Peninsula. Because of its age and refinement of workmanship, Adam of Macedonia has been acclaimed as one of the ten most important archaeological discoveries in the world.
S4 – Neolithic Art Overview
Main Sources
S1, S2:-
Dimitrovska, Vasilka. (Dec 6, 2012). “Adam of Macedonia”. Haemus.
“After Six Month Laboratory Analyses in Germany – Adam of Govrlevo Old Seven Millennia”. Culture – Republic of Macedonia.
S3:-
(Nov 30, 2021). “Govrlevo – Home to one of the 10 biggest World Discoveries, a Neolithic Man’s Torso”. Travel Macedonia.