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For millennia, humans have showcased their creative talents by crafting sculptures from materials such as bone, antler, ivory, and stone. Some of the earliest known sculptures are tiny enough to fit into the palm of your hand, yet their existence is not without debate and mystery.
These extraordinary artworks were primarily created using ancient flint tools that chipped away at the raw material. Artists utilized techniques such as gouging, drilling, and chiseling, and metal abrasives helped smooth and refine the surfaces. Some of these masterpieces were discovered far from their original locations, possibly indicating the existence of early trade networks. While the exact purpose and significance of these sculptures remain unknown, it is evident that their creation involved considerable skill, dedication, and precision. These pieces, depicting both real and mythical animals and humans, are a part of our shared history, belonging to all of us.
10. Venus of Brassempouy (23,000 BC)
The Venus of Brassempouy is a unique piece of prehistoric art, remaining as a fragment of an ivory sculpture (broken in ancient times) discovered in 1892 in Brassempouy, located in the southwest of France. This remarkable sculpture—comprising only the neck and head—was crafted from mammoth ivory. The figure stands at about centimeters (1.4 inches) in height, 1.9 centimeters (0.75 inches) in width, and 2.2 centimeters (0.86 inches) in depth.
Unlike any other Venus sculptures discovered across Europe, this exceptional artwork features distinctive facial details, such as a nose, eyes, browline, and forehead, yet curiously lacks a mouth. Braided hair or perhaps a headdress is delicately incised on the top and sides of the sculpture's head. The remarkable facial features make this a standout piece of prehistoric art, though we may never uncover the full appearance of the body or its ultimate fate. Dated to around 23,000 BC, this Stone Age sculpture is one of the few known to showcase intricate facial representations, and could possibly be the oldest of its kind still in existence.
9. Moravia Lion Head (24,000 BC)
In 1924, excavations at the Dolni Vestonice archaeological site in the Czech Republic revealed its significance. Beyond prehistoric burials, hundreds of fired clay and ceramic relics were found, including the 26,000-year-old Moravia Lion Head.
Crafted from fired clay, the Lion Head measures 4.5 centimeters (1.75 inches) in width, 2.8 centimeters (1.1 inches) in height, and 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) in depth. Its eyes, ears, and snout are carefully modeled with impressive detail. The animal's gender cannot be determined, as Ice Age lions did not possess manes. Some experts believe the holes in one eye and above an ear may indicate possible wounds.
The discoveries at Dolni Vestonice offered researchers valuable insights into the role of carnivores in the daily lives of ancient inhabitants. While the primary purpose of hunting these animals may have been for their hides, other parts, such as bones, were utilized to create tools and weapons. Additionally, fox and wolf teeth were fashioned into various personal adornments, including jewelry.
The Water Bird in Flight, a remarkable piece dating back to approximately 28,000 BC, showcases the skill and creativity of early human artists.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
The Water Bird in Flight, delicately carved from mammoth ivory, was found in the renowned Hohle Fels Cave in southwestern Germany. This exquisite sculpture is one of several intricate depictions of animals, offering a glimpse into the minds of ancient artists. Measuring 4.7 centimeters (1.85 inches) from its beak to tail, the figure is believed to be around 30,000 years old. It was unearthed in two separate pieces in 2002 near the town of Schelklingen. Artifacts like this challenge our understanding of early human relations with animals, suggesting they were seen not merely as resources but possibly as symbols or messengers.
While it remains uncertain which specific hominid species crafted this sculpture, it is widely accepted that modern humans (Homo sapiens) were the creators of this remarkable artwork.
7. The Vogelhead Horse (31,000 BC)
The Vogelherd Cave, situated on the eastern side of the Swabian Jura in southwest Germany, gained prominence after the discovery of the Upper Paleolithic Vogelherd figurines in 1931, linked to the Aurignacian culture. These remarkable sculptures, meticulously crafted from mammoth ivory, are considered some of the oldest surviving examples of art, offering a glimpse into a time long past.
One of the most iconic of these creations is the 33,000-year-old carving of a horse, recognized as the oldest horse sculpture known to man. Believed to have served as a totem or pendant, the sculpture’s features were softened from repeated human contact, yet its shape, proportions, and striking expressiveness remain unparalleled. It's commonly thought to depict a stallion with a powerful presence, suggested by its curved neck. Regrettably, only the head of the horse remains intact; the sculpture's legs were lost over time, and external layers of ivory have flaked away, narrowing its width. Engraved symbols on the horse's neck, back, and chest add an element of mystery, their meaning perhaps lost to history.
6. The Tolbaga Bear Head (33,000 BC)
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Aside from Israel, Siberia stands as the other region in Asia where Pleistocene art has garnered significant, though still limited, attention. To date, over 20 archaeological sites have been identified where remarkable paleoart can be found. While much of the artwork dates to the Pleistocene, the majority belongs to the Upper Paleolithic period. One such site, Tolbaga, located near the Khilok River in Siberia, was uncovered in the 1970s by renowned Soviet archaeologist and historian Alexey Pavlovich Okladnikov.
One of the site's most crucial discoveries was the intricately carved head of an animal, widely believed to be a bear. Chiseled from the second vertebra of the extinct woolly rhinoceros, this sculpture showcases exceptional craftsmanship. Microscopic analysis of the tool marks revealed that a variety of stone tools were used to create the piece. Despite the considerable time and effort invested by the artist, the result is a highly detailed sculpture with impressively naturalistic features.
5. Woolly Mammoth Figurine (33,000 BC)
In 2007, archaeologists from the University of Tübingen unearthed the first complete woolly mammoth sculpture in the Swabian Jura, Germany. This remarkable discovery, which included several other figurines, is believed to have been created by early modern humans over 35,000 years ago. Not only was the mammoth sculpture exceptional due to its preserved condition, but it is also regarded as the oldest ivory sculpture ever found.
The woolly mammoth sculpture is quite petite, measuring just 3.7 centimeters (1.5 inches) in length and weighing only 7.5 grams (0.25 ounces). Despite its small size, it is intricately engraved, featuring a slender form, pointed tail, sturdy legs, and an elegantly arched trunk, making it a remarkable piece. The figurine is also embellished with short incisions, and a crosshatch pattern is visible on the soles of its feet.
In total, five ivory mammoth sculptures from the Upper Paleolithic period were unearthed at the Vogelherd Cave archaeological site. This discovery, which took place during the cave's initial excavation in 1931, was spearheaded by Tübingen archaeologist Gustav Reik.
4. Venus of Hohle Fels (38,000 BC)
Crafted during the Aurignacian culture of the Stone Age, the modest ivory sculpture of a female figure, known as the Venus of Hohle Fels, was discovered during excavations in 2008 at the Hohle Fels Cave in southwestern Germany. Dating from between 38,000 and 33,000 BC, it is the oldest known Venus figurine and the earliest undisputed example of figurative art in archaeology.
The Venus of Hohle Fels shares many common traits with later female figurines, such as the Venus of Willendorf. However, its extraordinary age brings attention to the early development of Upper Paleolithic art, revealing that the Aurignacian culture was far more advanced than previously recognized.
Numerous other significant examples of portable art were also discovered near the Hohlenstein Mountain, though none were given their own dedicated display. The small figurine became one of the standout features of the Ice Age Art and Culture exhibition held in Stuttgart between 2009 and 2010.
3. The Venus of Berekhat Ram (233,000 and 800,000 BC)
Our final entry, while still controversial, has made a compelling case for its authenticity. The Venus of Berekhat Ram was discovered in the Golan Heights, Israel, nestled between two distinct layers of volcanic sediment and stone. Estimated to be between 233,000 and 800,000 years old, many scholars now consider it a potential representation of a female human form, possibly created by Homo erectus during the early Middle Paleolithic period.
The controversy surrounding the find largely dissipated after a microscopic analysis by Alexander Marshack, which clearly indicated human involvement in the shaping of the object. It is now widely accepted that the figurine, which already had a humanoid shape when discovered, was further refined and polished using early human tools. The base of the figurine shows evidence of being flattened, suggesting it was carved to stand upright.
The argument in favor of the artifact's significance was further bolstered by similar findings in nearby regions, such as the Tan Tan Venus of Morocco. Current conclusions suggest that both figures may have served ritualistic or ceremonial functions, potentially making them genuine objects of early human culture.
2. Venus of Tan-Tan (200,000–500,000 BC)
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Tan-Tan Venus was discovered during an excavation on the northern bank of the Draa River by German state archaeologist Lutz Fiedler. The sculpture was found between two undisturbed soil layers: the lower layer consisting of Early Acheulian artifacts and sediment, dating to around 500,000 BC, and the upper layer representing the Middle Acheulian period, approximately 200,000 BC. Based on its excavation context, the Venus of Tan-Tan is estimated to be from 200,000 to 500,000 BC, making it part of the same timeframe as the Golan Venus of Berekhat Ram and thus the oldest known art ever discovered in Africa.
This dating strongly suggests that Homo neanderthalensis could not have created it, positioning the artwork firmly within the realm of Homo erectus. Carved from metamorphosed quartzite, the figurine measures about 6 centimeters (2.5 inches) long, 2.6 centimeters (1 inch) wide, and 1.2 centimeters (0.5 inches) deep, with a weight of approximately 10 grams (0.3 ounces). The surface of the sculpture contains twenty small specks of a vibrant red waxy substance, identified as iron and manganese. The exact nature of these specks remains uncertain, with some speculating they could be remnants of ochre paint, though this is still debated.
Like its controversial counterpart, the Venus of Berekhat Ram, the anthropomorphic qualities of this figurine are suggested by distinctive ridges intricately carved into its surface. While some of these markings are believed to be natural, others have been definitively confirmed as the result of the artifact being struck.
1. Lion Man of the Hohlenstein Stadel (38,000 BC)
The Lion Man of Hohlenstein Stadel holds the title of the world’s oldest anthropomorphic figurine. Discovered in 1939 by archaeologist Robert Wetzel, this magnificent sculpture was found within the Hohlenstein Stadel caves in Germany, a site known for yielding numerous significant archaeological and historical discoveries. At 40,000 years old, the sculpture, created with flint and stone tools, also holds the distinction of being the first piece of art from Europe to represent a male figure.
Although the Lion Man was not found in one piece, with several fragments from its front still missing, the sculpture measures 31 centimeters (12.2 inches). Its posture suggests the figure is standing on the tips of its toes with arms positioned at its sides. The upper left arm bears crisscrossing incisions, which could either be tattoo designs or signs of disfigurement. Though found alongside numerous other artifacts, the Lion Man continues to be regarded as a truly extraordinary example of prehistoric human art from the Stone Age.
