Since the Stone Age, the evolution of sex toys has made monumental strides. They stand as some of the oldest and longest-used tools in the course of human invention.
The oldest known phallic object can be traced back to at least 28,000 years ago. It was discovered during a 2005 exploration of the Hohle Fels cave near Ulm in the Swabian Jura region of Germany, conducted by a research team from the University of Tübingen. The lead researcher, Nicholas J. Conard, noted that the distinct shape and the markings around the top of the object represented a “symbolic rendering of the male genitalia.” Furthermore, the object was found to be highly polished, indicating that it had indeed been used.
In 2010, an excavation in Sweden unearthed an item which was clearly sculpted from deer antler into a phallic shape. Although scientists could not definitively determine its exact purpose, the shape of the object made it difficult to draw any other conclusion.
Göran Gruber, an archaeologist from the Swedish National Heritage Board, articulated: “Both your mind and mine interpret its shape in the same way—it signifies an erect phallus to us.” The similarity is simply astonishing.
Swedish archaeologist Martin Rundkvist, in his blog Aardvarchaeology, wrote: “Undeniably, anyone alive at the time of its creation would have easily recognized its resemblance to a penis, just as we do today.” Gruber stated that this discovery was recently unveiled, and although researchers planned to publish it in a scientific journal, there hasn’t been enough time to do so yet. Honor Beddard, a curator at the Wellcome Collection, pointed out that the discovery of the stone phallus helps us to understand the complexity of ancient human sexual behavior.
In addition, the world’s oldest known condom, dating back to 1640. A Latin instruction manual, advising users to soak the condom in warm milk before use to prevent disease, was perfectly preserved on it. It was designed for multiple uses. This condom, made from pig intestine, was discovered in the city of Lund in southern Sweden.
Adult toys have held a long and significant position in human history.
The earliest sexual tools, dating back as far as 28,000 years, demonstrate that such devices are not a product of modern society, but rather a crucial part of human society and culture. They may have served functions in satisfying sexual needs, sexual education, and symbolic representation.
The interpretation of the image and function of sex toys has remained relatively consistent throughout history. From the research mentioned above, it is evident that whether it’s the phallic object from 28,000 years ago, or the deer antler carving discovered in 2010, the similarity in shape to the male genitalia is readily recognizable. This suggests that despite massive changes in human society and culture in many other aspects, the understanding of sex and its symbols has remained stable to some degree.
In the use of sex toys, human innovation and pragmatism go hand in hand. The 1640 condom, for example, serves as an excellent illustration of this. Not only does it act as a protective measure during sexual intercourse, but it was also designed for repeated use, reflecting a respect for resource conservation and a focus on sexual health.
Research into adult toys offers valuable perspectives and material for understanding human sexual behavior, sexual culture, and the symbolic significance of sex.