April 17, 2005
WE THINK THEY ALSO SANG RAUNCHY SEA SHANTIES
Archaeologist finds 'oldest porn statue' (Krysia Diver, The Guardian, April 4th, 2005)
Stone-age figurines depicting what could be the oldest pornographic scene in the world have been unearthed in Germany.Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be the 7,200-year-old remnants of a man having intercourse with a woman.
The extraordinary find, at an archaeological dig in Saxony, shatters the belief that sex was a taboo subject in that era.
Until now, the oldest representations of sexual scenes were frescos from about 2,000 years ago. [...]
"This is such an interesting discovery," said Dr Sträuble, "as these figurines are not stylistic, but realistic. They open up a gateway for historians and anthropologists to discuss whether sex really was a taboo subject in the stone age."
Objective inquiry is all well and good, but when you have a shot at making an “interesting” discovery that shatters a belief and opens a gateway to discuss sex, any old nonsense will do.
Actually, in those days, the taboo was archeology.
Posted by: Barry Meislin at April 17, 2005 8:55 AMAlternate quote:
The extraordinary find, at an archaeological dig in Saxony, confirms the belief that obsession with sex is unique to modern times.
Talking about money was also a big faux pas in the stone age, except among the lower classes of caveman.
Posted by: carter at April 17, 2005 2:40 PMThe extraordinary find, at an archaeological dig in Saxony, shatters the belief that sex was a taboo subject in that era.
I was just saying to a friend that I was glad we had outgrown the hypocritical puritanism of 7200 years ago, but he reminded me that what we think of as paleolithic narrow-mindedness is more property dated to the great awakening of 4950 B.C.
Posted by: David Cohen at April 17, 2005 9:17 PMThere must be some mistake; Boomers invented sex.
Posted by: Noel at April 18, 2005 12:04 AMThey open up a gateway for historians and anthropologists to discuss whether sex really was a taboo subject in the stone age."
How in the world do they have the first friggin' clue what people talked about in the Stone Age?
Posted by: Matt Murphy at April 18, 2005 12:23 AMWell, we know that the Neanderthals disappeared. Now, thanks to German rigor and the powers of Dr. Strauber's awesome intellect, we know why.
Another age-old mystery solved. (But I guess you can't call anyone a "sexual Neanderthal" anymore. Pity.)
Posted by: Barry Meislin at April 18, 2005 3:24 AMWow, I hadn't realized that ancient cultures with their temple prostitution, didn't have strong taboos against any public discussion of sex. Next thing you know these archeaologists will claim that fertility rites are sex related as well.
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at April 18, 2005 2:01 PMBest part of the article: "Adonis von Zschernitz"
Posted by: Jason Johnson at April 19, 2005 12:08 AM