This clay "doll" was found in a ceramic vase together with a lead plate on which a spell was engraved. Archaeologists estimate that the statue dates back to the 3rd or 4th Century BC. Although the statue was found during excavations near Thebes in Egypt, it is of Greek origin, as the inscription on the plaque indicates.

This clay "doll" was found in a ceramic vase together with a lead plate on which a spell was engraved. Archaeologists estimate that the statue dates back to the 3rd or 4th Century BC. Although the statue was found during excavations near Thebes in Egypt, it is of Greek origin, as the inscription on the plaque indicates.

The statue, as can be seen, is kneeling with its legs and arms tied behind its back. As if that wasn't enough, she was pierced by 13 nails: one in the top of her head, one in her mouth, one in each eye and ear, one in her chest, one in her palms, one in her feet, and two more on the inside. It seems logical that this statue would be used for a curse like a voodoo doll.

But, if we read the writing on the tag, we discover that the "doll" was made by a man and was actually used to make his girlfriend fall in love with it.

The Greek inscription reads thus :

"Great Ptolemais, that Ayas, daughter of Origen, loves me. Do not let her eat or drink until she comes to me, and do not let her meet any other man except me. Do with her what you will until she agrees to be alone with me As long as I live he will listen to me, love me and always tell the truth."

This clay statue is now in the Louvre in Paris and can be seen in the room dedicated to Ancient Egypt.