A remarkable archaeological find has emerged in Ukraine, where a stone stela dating back to the third millennium BCE was discovered by archaeologist Dmitry Filimonov during a forest walk. Initially, Filimonov did not grasp the significance of the small portion of the stela that was visible above ground.
According to Alexander Starik, acting director of the Dnipropetrovsk Museum named after Yavornytsky, this stela is approximately 5,000 years old. The monument was excavated but proved too heavy for transport.
Starik noted that stelas of this age are rare in the Dnipro region. This particular stela was found on the Igren Peninsula, an area known for its settlements and burial sites from the Eneolithic era, where such structures held cultic significance.
These stelas vary in shape but often exhibit anthropomorphic features, linked to specific spiritual traditions, primarily participating in burial rituals. Experts are currently considering how to transport the monument for preservation, which will require a lifting device. Further studies will be conducted, particularly due to the stela's unique phallic shape.
Yaroslav Hural, a museum staff member, remarked on its form, stating, “It resembles a human figure, yet also has phallic shapes, and everyone perceives it according to their own interpretations.”