Archaeologists discover 100 prehistoric 'cult sites' in Israel, featuring penis-shaped stone structures

Stone structures from the cult sites
(Image credit: Twitter/Live Science)

In the Eilat Mountains, a dry part of Israel's Negev Desert, archaeologists have discovered 100 ancient "cult sites," and many of them feature penis stone structures as well as vulva shapes cut into artifacts.

The sites date to roughly 8,000 years ago. Many of them include stone circles five to eight feet wide, complete with the penis structures. In the Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society, the team describes the find as unusual, given the "small number of known Neolithic habitations" in the area.

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.