Almallutx: ArqueoTramuntana/FacebookThe bulls head figurine was found completely by chance some 2,200 years or more after it was made.While hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range on the Spanish island of Mallorca, a man happened to spot a tiny object. It soon became clear that hed stumbled upon a bronze bulls head figurine that archaeologists believe is at least 2,200 years old.This tiny artifact an incredibly rare and surprising find remains somewhat mysterious. However, archaeologists say it bears some resemblance to other, more famous depictions of bulls found in the region, including a set of life-sized bronze bull heads from roughly the same period.The Chance Discovery Of An Ancient Bulls Head Figurine In Mallorcas Serra de Tramuntana MountainsAccording to reporting from Diario de Mallorca, the tiny bronze bulls head was indeed found entirely by chance. A hiker in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range happened to spot the artifact on a trail near the village of Valldemossa. The hiker asked friends if they knew any archaeologists, and ultimately got in touch with researcher and historian Jaume Dey, who passed the artifact to the Consell de Mallorca (Mallorca Council).Jaume DeyThe bulls head is believed to date back to at least 123 B.C.E.Archaeologists believe that the bulls head dates back to between 550 and 123 B.C.E., an era known as the post-Talaiotic period. Small enough to be held in the palm of the hand, the artifact is just 3.2 centimeters long, 1.7 centimeters tall, and 2.9 centimeters wide.The finely carved details make it very special, Dey explained to Diario de Mallorca. It stands out for its well-achieved proportions and the features of the horns, ears, muzzle, and eyes, as well as some incisions intended to highlight the animals features.Dey suspects that the bulls head could have once been part of a larger element. It could have been the head of a statue, for example, or perhaps a decorative motif placed on a larger bulls horn. Indeed, there is a small hole in the back of the piece, which suggests that it was originally connected to something else.And while questions about the bulls head remain, Dey believes that it may have a connection to a group of more famous Spanish bull artifacts from antiquity.How This Bronze Age Bulls Head May Connect To Other Artifacts Found In SpainBulls have long been an important animal in Spanish culture, and Dey suspects that the bulls head found in Serra de Tramuntana may have a connection to a set of other bull artifacts found in the Mallorcan town of Costitx. Discovered in the late 1800s, these three, life-size bronze bull heads date back to sometime between 550 and 200 B.C.E., roughly the same era as the newly-uncovered bulls head.Jaume DeyThe small bulls head bears some resemblance to the Costitx bulls, one of which is seen on the right above.According to Dey, the smaller bulls head bears a strong resemblance to two of the Costitx bulls, although its horns and ears are much smaller.Its as if we were looking at a representation of the head of a young bull or heifer, Dey remarked.If the artifacts are connected, the Costitx bulls may offer some hint about the origin and purpose of the smaller bulls head. Theyre thought to be depictions of a deity, or perhaps connected to the ancient practice of bull worship, found everywhere from Sumeria to Canaan. And the recently-discovered bulls head could fit into this interpretation as well.Regardless of its original meaning, however, the newly-uncovered bulls head is indisputably an important find. As Dey told Diario de Mallorca, three similar artifacts have documented, but have since vanished. Whats more, these bulls heads were all unearthed more than 50 years ago, with nothing similar found since. The bulls head discovered in Serra de Tramuntana is thus an incredibly rare find.Indeed, Dey is hopeful that this stunning relic could lead archaeologists to other discoveries in these mountains. As he explained to Diario de Mallorca, hes asked the Mallorca Council to conduct an archaeological survey of the area where the hiker found the bulls head in hopes of uncovering other similar artifacts from the regions ancient past.After reading about the tiny bronze bulls head found by a hiker on a trail in Spain, discover the gruesome story of champion matador Vctor Barrio, who was gored by a bull on live TV. Then, learn about the Brazen Bull, the legendary torture device that was allegedly used in ancient Greece.The post A Hiker Just Stumbled Upon An Ancient Figurine Of A Bulls Head On The Spanish Island Of Mallorca appeared first on All That's Interesting.