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3 clusters · 18 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

Hohle Fels Ice-Age Bird Figurines

Overview

Archaeologists from the University of Tübingen have discovered two miniature bird figurines carved from mammoth ivory in Germany’s Hohle Fels cave, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Swabian Alb. Dated to approximately 40,000 years ago and linked to the Aurignacian culture, the tiny artworks—measuring roughly 2 cm and weighing between 0.7 g and 1.3 g—are among the smallest known Ice-Age carvings.

One figurine depicts a resting bird, possibly a nesting white partridge, while the second shows a bird with outstretched wings, though its left wing is broken. Professor Nicholas Conard, director of the excavations, described the finds as the “Fund des Jahres” (find of the year), noting the precision of the cuts and the ability to capture dynamic movement. Because the pieces were found only 1.5 meters apart in the same layer, researchers suggest they may have been created by the same individual.

The discovery expands the known range of Paleolithic animal representations, which previously focused largely on mammoths, horses, and cave lions. Due to their extreme lightness and small size, experts speculate the carvings may have served as personal talismans or symbols of group identity. The figurines are scheduled to be displayed at the Museum for Prehistory and Ice Age Art in Blaubeuren until April 4 of the following year.

Entities

University of Tübingen · Hohle Fels cave · Nicholas Conard · Germany · Museum of Prehistory and Ice Age Art, Blaubeuren

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Hohle Fels cave discovery reveals 40,000-year-old ivory bird sculptures

    Archaeologists in Germany discovered 40,000-year-old mammoth ivory bird sculptures in the Hohle Fels cave, showcasing advanced artistic precision from the Ice Age.

  2. 9 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Hohle Fels Cave Yields 40,000-Year-Old Mammoth Ivory Bird Carvings

    Archaeologists uncovered two 40,000‑year‑old mammoth‑ivory bird figurines in Germany’s Hohle Fels cave, the smallest known Ice Age carvings, linked to the Aurignacian culture.

  3. 16 days ago

    [CULTURE] 14 sources
    Tiny 40,000-Year-Old Bird Figurines Discovered in Germany's Hohle Fels Cave

    Two 2‑cm mammoth‑ivory bird figurines, 40,000 years old, were found in Germany's Hohle Fels cave; they are the smallest known Ice‑Age artworks and will be shown in Blaubeuren.

Sources

beerpla.net · catracalivre.com.br · der-kultur-blog.de · diariosanrafael.com.ar · fatopaulista.com.br · foodscience.com.au · freerepublic.com · futurezone.de · img.zeit.de · index.hr · itravelqatar.com · kopalniawiedzy.pl · nafsiyah.com · sci.news · tennislive.com · thecooldown.com · tportal.hr · vijesti.me

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history