... Vials of Failaka
Former Director of the Department of Antiquities and Museums, Dr. Sultan Al-Duwaish, considered that the nearly complete female figurines discovered in Failaka Island reflect a stable civilization, noting the diversity of their styles between Classical Greek and Hellenistic Babylonian, and the influence of Greeks and Seleucids.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Among the figurines are three female faces that have retained their features almost entirely.
Dr. Sultan Al-Duwaish, director of the Antiquities and Museums Department at the former National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, stated that the nearly complete female figurines discovered on Failaka Island at various times are evidence of the stability and civilization that the island once enjoyed.
In a statement to Al-Rai, Al-Duwaish explained that “among these figurines are three female faces that have preserved their features almost completely. The first face belongs to the Classical Greek style, while the other two belong to a style known as Hellenistic Babylonian.”
Al-Duwaish pointed to another figurine, saying, “It is about 9 centimeters tall, depicting a female figure that has lost its head and right arm. The woman is wearing a long, loose garment.” He noted that “some of these figurines, some of which have been featured on postcards, evoke the myth of Aphrodite, who holds special significance in Greek civilization.”
He added that “some of the female figurines from Failaka Island date back to the period between 280 and 150 BC, and are characterized by a pure Classical Greek style that reflects the influence of the Greek Empire and the Seleucid dynasty in the region.”
