Prehistoric siltstone phallus, the world's oldest sex toy, was also used as tool to ignite fires

By Rosemary Black
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Monday, May 17th 2010, 12:42 PM

The world's oldest sex toy was more than just a feel-good aid. The 30,000-year-old siltstone phallus doubled as a tool to ignite fires.

The racy relic was found in a cave in Germany and is being studied at the University of Tubingen there, according to Independent Online.

The find was a rare one since examples of masculinity from that period are unusual to stumble upon, although female-inspired works of art are rather common.

The prehistoric phallus, which has marks where it was obviously used for striking against flints, also features carved rings around one polished end. Researchers say it's easy to see what it was used for.

The scientists pieced together the multitasking tool from more than a dozen fragments found in a cave complex linked with the activities not of the Neanderthals, but of modern humans.

The sex toy is estimated to be at least 28,000 years old and apparently had been discarded after being broken. There's no evidence as to how that happened. Jealous boyfriend? Frustrated spinster? The secret may be safe with early cave dwellers.

From: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17/2010-05-17_prehistoric_siltstone_phallus_the_worlds_oldest_sex_toy_was_also_used_as_tool_to.html