We don’t know what these “handbags” are supposed to represent, but they were important enough to be carved into stone by ancient civilizations all around the world.
Across various ancient civilizations, from Mesopotamia to Mesoamerica, a peculiar and enigmatic symbol repeatedly appears in stone carvings—what modern observers often describe as “handbags.” These mysterious shapes, resembling a small, rounded bag with a handle or strap, have been found in the artwork of Sumerians, the Olmecs, Göbekli Tepe, and other ancient cultures. The recurring presence of this symbol in civilizations that, as far as we know, had no direct contact with one another raises numerous questions. What do these “handbags” represent? Why were they significant enough to be carved into stone monuments, temple walls, and sacred artifacts? While their…
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