Hiker finds 3,000-year-old bull sculpture in Spain

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Hiker finds 3,000-year-old bull sculpture in Spain

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A hiker recently noticed a displaced object in his path while hiking in the hills of Mallorca, Spain. After examining the artifact, archaeologists now believe the 1.25-inch-long relic is a rare example of a metal bull sculpture dating back more than 3,000 years.

“This small bronze piece could be part of a larger object: either the head of a small statuette, or a decorative motif originally affixed to the horn of a larger bull’s head,” explained archaeologist Jaume Deyà. Majorca Newspaper in a statement translated from Spanish.

Artisans made this piece, known as a tauriform, during the post-Talaiotic period (550-123 BCE).

Emerging from the earlier Talaiotic era (850-550 BCE), Bronze Age cultures owe their name to their monumental stone towers called talaiots. The post-Talaiotic period is particularly known for its innovations in pottery, fortified architecture and metallurgy. Bulls were featured prominently in prehistoric Mediterranean agrarian communities, often as symbols of seasonal cycles, strength and especially fertility.

The most recent discovery is the first of its kind in 50 years and is particularly important for archaeological efforts in Mallorca. Three other tauriforms were documented on the island, but they have all since disappeared. Additionally, finding an artifact like the Tauriform in the open is extremely rare.

“It is unusual – and even difficult – to come across a piece like this,” explained Deyà, who compared it to his previous discovery of a remarkably preserved Talaiotic sword in 2019.

The hiker’s discovery is now in the possession of the Consell de Mallorca, where researchers will carry out further analysis of the artifact. However, unlike the long-lost trio of tauriforms, this one is intended for public display in a yet-to-be-determined museum.

“I am deeply grateful to [the hiker] for seeking appropriate avenues to ensure the protection of this piece, an object that truly belongs to the public domain and can be enjoyed by all,” Deyà said.