Stone bird figures are enigmatic remnants of a vanished culture that once flourished in the highlands of New Guinea. This unknown culture produced a variety of stone objects, including figures of birds and other animals. As none have been excavated in controlled archaeological contexts, their date within the 40,000-year sequence of New Guinea prehistory remains unknown. This example was discovered in the Mount Hagen area. While nothing is known of their original use, prehistoric stone objects serve important functions among the Enga and other contemporary Highland peoples. Unearthed by chance in gardens, washed out by streams, or rooted up by foraging pigs, the unusual stones are regarded as the work of spirits. Endowed with powerful magic, their uses range from hunting magic to healing to deadly forms of sorcery.
In recent times, stone objects were primarily associated with the fertility of pigs and sweet potatoes. Powerful stones were ritually anointed with pig's blood to magically replenish the herd and were buried in fields or placed in living shrines of colorful plants to assure abundant crops. On occasion, large groups of stones were massed for Kor nganap, a ceremonial cycle devoted to a female spirit who protected the community and brought success in warfare and traditional exchanges.
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<p>Stone bird figures are enigmatic remnants of a vanished culture that once flourished in the highlands of New Guinea. This unknown culture produced a variety of stone objects, including figures of birds and other animals. As none have been excavated in controlled archaeological contexts, their date within the 40,000-year sequence of New Guinea prehistory remains unknown. This example was discovered in the Mount Hagen area. While nothing is known of their original use, prehistoric stone objects serve important functions among the Enga and other contemporary Highland peoples. Unearthed by chance in gardens, washed out by streams, or rooted up by foraging pigs, the unusual stones are regarded as the work of spirits. Endowed with powerful magic, their uses range from hunting magic to healing to deadly forms of sorcery.</p><p>In recent times, stone objects were primarily associated with the fertility of pigs and sweet potatoes. Powerful stones were ritually anointed with pig's blood to magically replenish the herd and were buried in fields or placed in living shrines of colorful plants to assure abundant crops. On occasion, large groups of stones were massed for Kor nganap, a ceremonial cycle devoted to a female spirit who protected the community and brought success in warfare and traditional exchanges.</p>
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