This amphora or jug has a silhouette shaped like a woman with her hands on her hips, wearing a long, flared-out skirt. The design was used in ancient Greece for pottery storage jars, the neck being narrower than the body. According to reports, this amphora was discovered in 1934 by Joe O'Keeffe, in a sand blowout, or sand hummocks, west of Levy's Point, west of Warrnambool, while he was planting marram grass for Mr Duncan. An article in the Warrnambool Standard newspaper of December 21, 1985, states that the amphora may be linked to the wooden sailing ship called the Mahogany Ship (also called the Ancient Wreck). Thermoluminescence testing indicates the relic was made in the mid-to-late 19th century, and experts suggest it was of North African origin. The presence of the amphora in the dunes, and the amphora itself, is still a mystery. The amphora was donated to Flagstaff Hill on a long-term loan by the Duncan family and displayed to the public for the first time on December 21, 1985. The exhibition continued until February 2023, when the objects on display in the Assistant Lighthouse Keepers Cottage (Shipwreck Museum) were returned to storage to rest, and the redevelopment of the Cottage began. A search for members of the Duncan Family was undertaken by Flagstaff Hill and stakeholders to resolve the loan term, but the family at that time was unknown. As such, to properly care for the amphora, it has been registered until ownership can be determined. The amphora is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery, where members of the Duncan family recognised it and have since made contact with the museum. The amphora's presence in the hummocks remains an intriguing and tantalising mystery, yet to be solved!The amphora is significant for the mystery it holds. Its origin and connection with the local area have led to local speculation since it was discovered in 1934. Amphora or jug; earthenware, orange clay with areas of cream. The vessel has a wide mouth, a deep lip, two opposing handles between the neck and shoulder, and a bulbous body. The curved handles have a design of six bands between them. There are three rings of small dots encircling the body. The underside has concentric circles in the clay, an uneven edge and pinhole markings. The amphora is kindly on loan from the Duncan family.Pinhole patterns: [3 holes above 3 holes] opposite [3 holes above 3 holes], 1 hole] [ 1 hole above 2 holes] flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, amphora, jug, mahogany ship, ancient wreck, joe o'keefe, duncan, thermoluminescence, north africa, levy point, pottery, storage jar, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck artefact, relic, shipwreck museum, pottery jar, ancient jar, egyptian water pot, greek jar, ceramic jar, mystery, exotic jar, mystery antique, historic jug, 1934, joe o’keefe, marshall duncan, port fairy, 1935, 1985, marshall mckenzie duncan, mac duncan, duncan family, 1981, dan madden, scientific investigation, scientific analysis, scientific dating, north african origin, mid-late 19th century, marram grass, levy’s point