---
title: The Sleeping Lady
author: Jan van der Crabben
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/245/the-sleeping-lady/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Sleeping Lady

_Authored by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/)_

## Image File

[![The Sleeping Lady](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/245.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/245.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) Period, 4000 - 2500 BCE. This clay figure of a reclining lady was found in one of the pits of the Hypogeum in Hal Saflieni in Malta. It has traces of red ochre paint and is thought to represent a "mother goddess", even though she may equally be a representation of [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) or eternal sleep. National Museum of Valetta, Malta.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Jan is the Founder & Chairman of World History Encyclopedia and is the organisation's Director of Design & Technology. He holds an MA War Studies from King's College, and he has worked in the field of history-related digital media since 2006.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janvdc)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Crabben, J. v. d. (2013, May 24). The Sleeping Lady. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/245/the-sleeping-lady/>
### Chicago
Crabben, Jan van der. "The Sleeping Lady." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 24, 2013. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/245/the-sleeping-lady/>.
### MLA
Crabben, Jan van der. "The Sleeping Lady." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 May 2013, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/245/the-sleeping-lady/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 24 May 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.