In Taiwan, archaeologists unearthed a snake-shaped relic believed to have been utilized in ancient religious ceremonies.

The serpent-like artifact, dating back approximately 4,000 years, was found last year in Taoyuan City, located about 30 miles west of Taipei, as detailed in a news release from the National Tsing Hua University’s archaeology department on February 9.

Crafted from pottery and measuring several inches in length, the object resembles a cobra with a raised head and an open mouth, according to university officials.

The discovery holds significance, and it is suggested that the artifact was once affixed to a vessel, possibly a bowl, serving as a handle, Herald Online reported.

This vessel might have been utilized by a shaman in a tribal society for ritualistic purposes.

Hung-Lin Chiu, a professor at the university, explained that the find illustrates how ancient societies integrated animal imagery into sacrificial vessels to express their beliefs and cognitive systems.

Numerous prehistoric societies held snakes in high esteem as symbols of reproduction, transition, or creation.

The shedding of their skin, in particular, symbolized the transformative process between life and death, according to university officials.

Written by B.C. Begley