Yoke (Yugo) in toad form at the UEA, Norwich, UK

myminifactory

It's been proposed that ancient players may have worn stone yugos as protective gear during a ballgame due to their unique shape resembling an oxen yoke. However, this theory is unlikely because of the heavy weight these stones would impose. Instead, they could have served as molds for leather belts used by players for protection during the game. In some cultures, games were played to ensure a bountiful harvest and the imagery on these ancient yugos may be linked to fertility concepts. This particular artifact features a frog or toad's head in its center, surrounded by its body and legs, which are visible on either side of the curve. Frogs and toads are often associated with fertility due to their prolific egg-laying abilities. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan The World is an initiative launched by MyMiniFactory that aims to create a free digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort where we invite individuals with interesting items nearby to contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate in this project.