Bicha of Balazote

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The Bicha of Balazote is an Iberian sculpture unearthed in the municipality of Balazote within Albacete province, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. The term "bicha" refers to a Spanish hybrid word meaning a fusion of human and animal characteristics. This ancient artifact has been dated back to the 6th century BCE and has been housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid since 1910. The sculpture depicts an androcephalic bull, a mythical creature with the body of a bull and the head of a man. The sculpture's rear side is plain, yet it was attached to a funerary monument where it functioned as a guardian and protector of the tomb, serving an apotropaic purpose. Notably, the sculpture's head was crafted from a separate block than its body. Its mouth is small, while its eyes are large. The remnants of horns can be seen, although they have not been preserved intact. Below these horns lie the ears. Fine lines created by straight incisions indicate the presence of hair on the scalp. From an iconographic perspective, this sculpture is linked to the representation of Achelous, a Greek river god. When combined with its distinctive features and overall style, it becomes evident that this work was influenced by Greek artistry, yet grounded in oriental artistic traditions.