«Мачульскі ідал»: дэскрыптыўныя характарыстыкі і крытыка атрыбуцыі

The article presents the history of discovery, characteristics, radiocarbon dating, and possible interpretation of the so-called “Mochul idol” found near the village of Mochul in the Stolin District of the Brest Region of Belarus. Particular attention is paid to the object’s form and its comparison with known wooden anthropomorphic sculptures of Eastern Europe (primarily Belarus and the Baltic region). The obtained data indicate that the “mochul idol” is most likely a product of modern creativity of the 19th – early 20th centuries and may represent an example of a local sacred or decorative tradition rather than a genuine Neolithic or Medieval idol. It is shown that this object is an example of modern mechanisms of tradition construction, therefore it is considered in the context of the interaction of scientific knowledge, artistic creativity and public demand for national and “archaic” symbols. The role of the “producer of authenticity” is also demonstrated, whose interpretations of the finds contribute to legitimizing the object as ancient and pagan, as well as forming new folklore narratives around it.