17138 BM Gorgon Antefix

This is a 3D model of an ancient terracotta antefix in the British Museum. The antefix was made around the 5th c BCE or later; the sculptor is unknown. It depicts a gorgon: we know this due to the female face in the middle, surrounded with snakes around its head. Gorgons were believed to have wings, fangs, and claws, and writhing snakes for hair. Anyone who looked into their eyes were turned into stone. Gorgon antefixes in ancient homes were used to ward off evil from their homes. **Bibliography:** [British Museum](https://bit.ly/33C3nDy); [U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology](https://bit.ly/399OjOG) # Ancient World 3D This model posting is part of Ancient World 3D, a project that provides curated 3D open access content for Classical Studies. Each model has an etched catalog# and [3D Printable frame](https://skfb.ly/6RorE) for building a library. The [original model was posted by Scan the World](http://mmf.io/o/17138). This entry was composed by Samantha Schlegel (Dr. Elizabeth Thill, advisor).