German 'Venus' may be oldest yet

BBC ^ | Thursday, May 14, 2009 | Jonathan Amos

[SunkenCiv]

The distorted object, which portrays a woman with huge breasts, big buttocks and exaggerated genitals, is thought to be at least 35,000 years old. The 6cm-tall figurine, reported in the journal Nature, is the latest find to come from Hohle Fels Cave in Germany. Previous discoveries have included exquisite carvings of animals, and an object that could be a stone "sex toy". Professor Nicholas Conard, from the department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology, at Tübingen University, said is was understandable that many would also view the new discovery in a pornographic light, but he cautioned against jumping to quickly to a particular interpretation... The Venus of Hohle Fels was found in six fragments in September 2008. It is still missing its left arm and shoulder, but researchers are hopeful these will emerge in future excavations of the cave's sediments. The figurine does not have a head. Rather, it has a carefully carved ring located off-centre above its broad shoulders. The polished nature of the ring suggests the Venus was probably suspended as a pendant... The artefact is presumed to have been made by modern humans (Homo sapiens) even though Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) were still present in Europe at this time.

[doc1019]

Thank you for your insight. You have encouraged me to investigate further.

[Pelham]

lol!

[SunkenCiv]

More like Hecuba... ;’)

[ZULU]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ETL]

Posted on earlier thread by FReeper 'SampleMan':
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2250919/posts?page=30#28

[Cincinna]

Thanks Civ The Venus of Willendorf is considered by Art historians to be the oldest, certainly the best preserved of these prehistoric representations of the female form. They are thought by most to have been fertility totems. The fact that so few remain, or have been found is because they are so old, and fragile.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Cincinna, and thanks Fred Nerks (and all) for the other images.