Face wand

Face wand

Credit: Ibanez et al, Antiquity, 2014

A 9,000-year-old wand with a face carved into it was discovered in Syria.

Ancient site

Ancient site

Credit: Ibanez et al

The wand was found at Tell Qarassa, an excavation site of an early farming settlement in what is now southern Syria.

Excavating the site

Excavating the site

Credit: Ibanez et al

The site was occupied more than 9,000 years ago and contains the remnants of walls from human settlement, as well as human burials.

Ancient culture

Ancient culture

Credit: Ibanez et al

The people who lived at the site were some of history's earliest farmers.

Unearthing the past

Unearthing the past

Credit: Ibanez, et al

Here, excavations continue at the site

Ancient burials

Ancient burials

Credit: Ibanez et al

The wand was found near skeletons.

Missing heads

Missing heads

Credit: Ibanez et al

For some mysterious reason, the skeletons had had their skulls dug up and placed elsewhere at the site.

Revealing the body

Revealing the body

Credit: Ibanez et al

Here, a skeleton is unearthed.

Mysterious practice

Mysterious practice

Credit: Ibanez et al

It's not clear why the heads were removed and placed elsewhere, though either ancestor worship or the trophy-display of enemy heads are possibilities.