Tau-, Psi- and phi- typeGreek terracotta figurines date back to 1450–1100 BC in
Mycenaean Greece. They were typically small (about 10cm high), made of
terracotta, although a group of
ivory figurines has been found,[1] and were found in tombs, shrines and settlement areas. They are classified by their shape and a resemblance to the Greek letters of
tau (τ),
psi (ψ) and
phi (Φ), according to a typological system created by
Arne Furumark in 1941.[2]
Their function/purpose is unknown, although it has been suggested that their purpose changed with the context in which they were found. Possible uses were children's toys,[1] votive figurines or grave offerings.
Some figurines appear to wear flattened headdresses, which suggests they may be goddesses.[3] However, it is difficult to distinguish between goddesses and worshippers. It is likely that they were made by the same craftsmen who made Mycenaean vases, as the decoration techniques are similar.[3]
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abOlsen, Barbara A (February 1998). "Women, Children and the Family in the Late Aegean Bronze Age: Differences in Minoan and Mycenaean Constructions of Gender". World Archaeology. 29 (3): 380–392.
doi:
10.1080/00438243.1998.9980386.
JSTOR125037.