goddess or an older woman with high status

it is fully intact and made of stone, not clay

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare stone figurine of a woman at a dig in Turkey's central province of Konya.

The woman, with her sagging breasts and belly, is thought to represent either a fertility 'mother goddess' or an older woman who has achieved high status.

An expert says the figurine, dating back 8,000 years, is one of only handful of statuettes of the era ever found in one piece.

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare stone figurine of a woman at a dig in Turkey's central province of Konya. The woman, with her sagging breasts and belly, is thought to represent either a fertility 'mother goddess' or an older women who have achieved high status

THE SITE OF CATALHOYUK Catalhoyuk is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Established around 7,000 BC, it was home to 5,000 people living in mud brick and plaster houses. Their buildings were crammed so tightly together, the inhabitants clambered over the roofs and used ladders to get into their homes. The town dwellers were early farmers who had domesticated a handful of plants and kept wild cattle for meat and milk. Cattle horns were incorporated into the walls of their homes. The town contains the oldest murals - paintings on plastered walls. Unlike later towns, there is no obvious hierarchy - no homes for priests or leaders, no temples and no public spaces. The dead were buried in spaces under homes, rather than in cemeteries. Some researchers believe it was an equalitarian society. The town survived for around 2,000 years. It is not known what happened to its inhabitants, but they may have been killed by invaders or driven away by the loss of nearby farmland. Advertisement

By 2009, nearly 2,000 figurines had been unearthed at the site in Catalhoyuk, Turkey.

Made by Neolithic farmers thousands of years before the creation of the pyramids or Stonehenge, the figurines tend to depict tiny cattle, crude sheep and curvaceous people.

But Stanford University Professor Ian Hodder told the Associated Press this one is unique because it is carved from stone, unlike most which are made from clay.

Its excellent condition and craftsmanship also set it apart, he said.

The 7-inch (17-cm) figurine weighs in at 2.2 pounds (one kilogram).

Experts think they could be representatives of animals the people were dealing with.

They may also have been teaching aides.

But unlike others found in garbage pits, Professor Hodder said this figurine was found beneath a platform along with a piece of dark rock called obsidian, which suggests it may have been placed there as part of some fertility ritual.

In the 1960s, some researchers claimed the more rotund figures were of a mysterious large breasted and big bellied 'mother goddess', prompting a feminist tourism industry that thrives today.

However, Professor Hodder cites newer theories that suggest this object represents older women who have achieved status.

'The new figurine certainly suggests such an interpretation with its sagging breasts and belly,' he said.

By 2009, nearly 2,000 figurines had been unearthed at the site in Catalhoyuk, Turkey. Made by Neolithic farmers thousands of years before the creation of the pyramids or Stonehenge, the figurines tend to depict tiny cattle, crude sheep and flabby people (pictured)

Catalhoyuk is in Turkey's central province of Konya (map pictured). The town dwellers were early farmers who had domesticated a handful of plants and kept wild cattle for meat and milk

Established around 7,000 BC, Catalhoyuk was home to 5,000 people living in mud brick and plaster houses. Their buildings were crammed so tightly together, the inhabitants clambered over the roofs and used ladders to get into their homes. Artist's impression pictured

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Catalhoyuk is one of the earliest cities uncovered and dates back nearly 9,000 years.

Catalhoyuk is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

Established around 7,000 BC, it was home to 5,000 people living in mud brick and plaster houses.

Their buildings were crammed so tightly together, the inhabitants clambered over the roofs and used ladders to get into their homes.

The town dwellers were early farmers who had domesticated a handful of plants and kept wild cattle for meat and milk.

Cattle horns were incorporated into the walls of their homes.

The town contains the oldest murals - paintings on plastered walls. Unlike later towns, there is no obvious hierarchy - no homes for priests or leaders, no temples and no public spaces.

The dead were buried in spaces under homes, rather than in cemeteries.

Some researchers believe it was an equalitarian society.

The town survived for around 2,000 years. It is not known what happened to its inhabitants, but they may have been killed by invaders or driven away by the loss of nearby farmland.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Catalhoyuk is one of the earliest cities uncovered and dates back nearly 9,000 years. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Pictured is the site in 2013