Indus Valley terracotta votive figure, circa 3000-2500 B.C.

Terracotta container made of sinuous shapes that resemble a feminine shape with arms gathered under the chest and an opening in the head that simulates a gathered hairstyle. Its function could be to contain water for ritual libations or some kind of cereal grain as a food offering. In addition, there are various forms that indicate that they could also have contained incense. These sculptures are considered to have had a votive function, since a large number of them have been found in sacred deposits, so they are understood to have had an apotropic function. The apotropaic function of these pieces was to protect fertility and motherhood. Without any doubt it would be a key ritual element for fertility.