Eureka!

Now we know why the Religious Reich is so up-in-arms about this whole evolution thing. Seems that our modern human ancestors liked a bit of kink now and again. From the BBC, via Pharyngula, comes the story of a 28,000-year-old life-size stone phallus found in a cave near Ulm in Germany:

The prehistoric "tool" was reassembled from 14 fragments of siltstone.

Its life size suggests it may well have been used as a sex aid by its Ice Age makers, scientists report.

"In addition to being a symbolic representation of male genitalia, it was also at times used for knapping flints," explained Professor Nicholas Conard, from the department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology, at Tübingen University.

I'm not sure I like the idea of a dildo that has been previously used for shaping stone tools--that could leave some pretty sharp edges to contend with. On the other hand, I have to agree with PZ--when you don't have access to rubber and silicone for making your sex toys, and when materials are scarce all around, you make do with what you can find. And this find really does suggest an alternative etymology for the modern English slang term "whacking off."

Comments

[ina]

Actually, I'd guess that some bones of prehistoric animals would be more comfortable. Actually, so would some shells (which would be lighter and smooth when polished). Actually, I can't even believe I'm spending time thinking of this. Anyhow, courtesy post to let you know I just pinged this blogpost as a good funny :)

ina