Abstract «idols» from Troy [Abstrakte »idole« aus Troia]

Five abstract Early Bronze Age idols from the Schliemann Collection of Trojan objects in the Römisch-Germanische Zentralmuseum are presented. Apart from their formal classification possible alternative functions of certain types are discussed, for example polishing stones or net weights. Finally the partly abstract, partly naturalistic »Kilia-idols« dating to the Chalcolithic period, are taken to appraise the problem of the genesis of small abstract sculpture in western Turkey