Gypsum is an fine-grained, white / translucent mineral, most commonly found in sedimentary deposits in the earth’s crust. Known as Gypsum, chemical combination: CaSO4.2H2O).

The alabaster gypsum mineral has been popular in ancient times for making crafts, such as vasses and jewelry.

Because of the ease of creating fine detail from gypsum alabaster, the mineral was very popular for sculpturing artifacts, specifically in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

The mineral was also used to create figures of deities in both the ancient middle eastern civilizations as well as in the Americas, by Native Americans.

More on gypsun here.