FEMALE FIGURINE · AURIGNACIAN · ≈40,000 YEARS
Hohle Fels The pendant figurine from Hohle Fels
Wear on the loop suggests this figurine may have been worn suspended.
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History and context Evidence and facts Objects connected through time Explore in 3D Further reading Reference images Location and territory Where it is held Sources and references Comments Museum documentation · free public access, no account required.
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Main image 2 CONTRIBUTED RECREATION · VISUAL INTERPRETATION Reconstruction · Declared visual hypothesis
Recreation contributed to the project together with the 3D model of the piece. It is not an archaeological photograph or a metric facsimile. Materials, finish, proportions and visible details may differ from the original. The photograph of the original is kept as a documentary reference.
View full image: CONTRIBUTED RECREATION · VISUAL INTERPRETATION CONTRIBUTED RECREATION · VISUAL INTERPRETATION Reconstruction · Declared visual hypothesis
Recreation contributed to the project together with the 3D model of the piece. It is not an archaeological photograph or a metric facsimile. Materials, finish, proportions and visible details may differ from the original. The photograph of the original is kept as a documentary reference.
View full image: PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · Catatine · CC BY-SA 4.0 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · Catatine · CC BY-SA 4.0 Documentary original · Exact correspondence
Photograph of the original taken by Catatine at the Urgeschichtliches Museum Blaubeuren in 2020. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Catatine · Urgeschichtliches Museum Blaubeuren (URMU) · Inventory: 1977-0119-0030-9000 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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User-supplied digital reconstruction; file metadata declares Tripo. It is not an archaeological scan or a metric replica; the supplied geometry is preserved intact. The model is displayed enlarged about five times so that it can be examined in the gallery: the original measures 5.97 cm. All the figurines in this section use the same enlargement, so they keep their relative sizes. The model’s surface, breaks and ring are interpretive; they do not replace the documentation of the surviving ivory.
History and context Six fragments of mammoth ivory recovered in 2008 form a figurine 5.97 centimetres tall. In place of a head it has a loop; the wear supports the interpretation that it was worn suspended.
It predates the classic Gravettian figurines. "Venus", fertility, goddess or erotica are modern labels: none explains with certainty what relationship it established with the person who carried it.
Evidence and interpretation Material, measurements, loop, wear, context and date are documented. Meaning, gender of authorship and social function are unknown.
Catalogue facts
Date ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian
Location Hohle Fels · Germany
Inventory 1977-0119-0030-9000
Material and measurement Mammoth ivory · 5.97 cm · 33.3 g Ivory12 Figurines20 Human imagery73 Jewellery and adornment36
The order uses the midpoint of each approximate date range; ranges can overlap. Spacing does not represent elapsed time. Swipe, scroll or use the arrows. With the sequence focused, use ← / →, Home or End.
Earlier Later
≈40,000 years · Aurignacian
Overlapping dates Lion-man Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record You are viewing ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian
Hohle Fels Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Current record ≈28,000 years cal BP · by funerary association
Brno II Articulated Figure Prehistory
≈28,000 cal BP converted with 1950 origin; date by funerary association. An approximate scale conversion for ordering; not a new radiocarbon calibration.
Read the record ≈28,000 years
Lespugue Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record ≈23,000–21,000 years
Zaraysk Bison Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record 3600–3200 BCE · Naqada II C–D
Gebel el-Arak knife Ancient Egypt
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 3300–3100 BCE
Naqada labels Ancient Egypt
Date range for the assemblage of labels and inscribed materials, not a single object.
Read the record c. 3100–2900 BCE
Ivory tablets Ancient Egypt
Date range for the assemblage of tablets and labels.
Read the record 9th–8th centuries BCE
Ivory in Nimrud Phoenicians
Frame of a set of ivories, not a single carving.
Read the record End of the 7th century–first half of the 6th century BCE
Ivory with names Phoenicians
The full 7th–6th centuries BCE provide broad limits for chronological ordering; the record specifies the late 7th century and the first half of the 6th.
Read the record Late 3rd–4th century CE
Articulated doll from Tarragona Etruscans and Rome
Used in the 3rd–4th centuries CE in its full extent as an external ordering framework; the entry specifies the late 3rd and 4th century.
Read the record 2 / 11 In the centre: Hohle Fels
Also connected, without a comparable date (1) These objects are not placed after the others: an unknown date does not mean a more recent object.
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Figurines Hohle Fels · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · Prehistory — You are viewingWillendorf · ≈29,500 years · PrehistoryBrno II Articulated Figure · ≈28,000 years cal BP · by funerary association · PrehistoryDolní Věstonice I · ≈29,000–27,000 years · PrehistoryLespugue · ≈28,000 years · PrehistoryKostenki I · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryZaraysk Bison · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryWorshiper of Tell Asmar · Towards 2900–2600 BCE · SumerOffering 4 · c. 800–600 BCE · Maya worldsKushite king · c. 721–664 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · IberiansShabti of Psamtek · 570–526 BCE · Ancient EgyptLa Venta grave goods · ca. 600–400 BCE · Maya worldsLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · IberiansThracian Gladiator from Cádiz · 67–100 CE · Etruscans and RomeWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Human imagery Lion-man · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryHohle Fels · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · Prehistory — You are viewingWillendorf · ≈29,500 years · PrehistoryBrno II Articulated Figure · ≈28,000 years cal BP · by funerary association · PrehistoryDolní Věstonice I · ≈29,000–27,000 years · PrehistoryLespugue · ≈28,000 years · PrehistoryKostenki I · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryShigir Idol · C. 10,000 BCE · approximation; debated dating · PrehistoryNahal Hemar mask · Eighth millennium BCE · context dating, not direct dating of the stone · PrehistoryEl Miradero spatula-idols · ≈4000–3800 cal BCE · PrehistoryWarka Mask · End of the 4th millennium BCE · SumerCueva de las Manos · Sequence ≈9300–1300 BP · PrehistoryUruk Vase · ca. 3300–3000 BCE · SumerWorshiper of Tell Asmar · Towards 2900–2600 BCE · SumerStandard of Ur · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerStatue of Ebih-Il · Towards 2400 BCE · SumerAkkadian sovereign head · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerBassetki Statue · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerBefore Pre-Inca Cultures · Kotosh-Mito Tradition, c. 2200–1500 BCE; the enclosure is usually situated around 1800 BCE. · Pre-Inca culturesQueen of the Night · 19th–18th centuries BCE · SumerBull-leaping · c. 1600–1450 BCE · Greek worldsWooden faces · c. 1600–1000 BCE, in several phases · Maya worldsHead 2 · c. 1200–900 BCE · Maya worldsIvory in Nimrud · 9th–8th centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLas Limas · c. 1000–600 BCE · Maya worldsAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · PhoeniciansAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · IberiansLamassu of Khorsabad · Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE · SumerThe Lanzón · c. 900–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesOffering 4 · c. 800–600 BCE · Maya worldsKushite king · c. 721–664 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · IberiansHeads on the wall · c. 800–300 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesShabti of Psamtek · 570–526 BCE · Ancient EgyptTwo voices in an urn · 530–520 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe god on the roof · Towards 510–500 BCE · Etruscans and RomeGlazed brick guards · 522–486 BCE · Achaemenid PersiaTwenty-three delegations · 6th–5th centuries BCE, mainly under Darius and Xerxes · Achaemenid PersiaBanquet under leopards · Around 480–470 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe statue was the urn · First half of the 4th century BCE · IberiansA battle on a comb · Early 4th century BCE · Scythians and SakaThe Kul-Oba vase · 4th century BCE · Greek worldsThe Solokha gold comb · 4th century BCE · Greek worldsFaces of the Steppe · Second half of the 4th century BCE · Scythians and SakaLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansPunic head pendant · Mid 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · IberiansThe Raimondi Stele · c. 400–200 BCE according to MNAAHP · Pre-Inca culturesChão de Lamas pectoral · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · concealed in the early 1st century BCE · IberiansVas dels Guerrers · 3rd–early 2nd century BCE · IberiansWarriors' Vase · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · IberiansThe dismantled cauldron · 2nd–1st centuries BCE · Celtic worldsThe walls of San Bartolo · c. 100 BCE · Maya worldsGladiators Cup of Chavagnes · 25–75 CE · Etruscans and RomeThracian Gladiator from Cádiz · 67–100 CE · Etruscans and RomeTorreáguila fountain spout · 101–125 CE · Etruscans and RomeArticulated doll from Tarragona · Late 3rd–4th century CE · Etruscans and RomeSeven heads · c. 500–700 CE · Bantu-speaking worldsSeated figure · 13th century, date attributed by the museum · Mande WorldsKongo crucifix · 16th–17th centuries · Bantu-speaking worldsKuba ndop · ca. 1760 · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Before Persia · Central core c. seventeenth century BCE; Neo-Elamite additions between the ninth and sixth centuries BCE · Achaemenid PersiaBhimbetka · Mesolithic–historical and medieval period · PrehistoryEland Cave · Regional tradition of ≈4,000 years · up to historical period · PrehistoryFour offerers · Iberian period · individual dating according to catalogue · IberiansGame Pass Shelter · Regional rock art chronology · panel not dated in isolation · San historiesLararium of Vilauba · Roman period · Etruscans and RomeLeang Karampuang · Minimum 51,200 years · dating published in 2024 · PrehistoryQuinkan Country · Regional art up to ≈27,000 BP · modern continuity · PrehistorySierra de San Francisco · Broad tradition with direct dates ≈5290–295 BP · PrehistoryTassili n’Ajjer · Corpus ≈6000 BCE–first centuries CE · PrehistoryThe Thracian Horseman · Roman era · diffusion especially in the 2nd–3rd centuries CE · ThraciansJewellery and adornment Hohle Fels · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · Prehistory — You are viewing'Jamila's' necklace · ≈7250–7000 BCE · PrehistoryThe Gold of Varna · Towards 4600–4200 BCE · ThraciansPuabi headdress · ca. 2600–2450 BCE · SumerCemetery R-37 · ca. 2550–2030 BCE · Indus civilisationCarnelian beads · ca. 2600–1900 BCE · Indus civilisationGrave Circle A and Chrysolakkos · 18th–16th centuries BCE · Greek worldsBurial at K IV · circa 1750–1550 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushTutankhamun's grave goods · death towards 1323 BCE · Ancient EgyptFu Hao’s burial goods · ca. 1200 BCE · Ancient ChinaBefore the Iberias · Final Bronze, c. 1000 BCE · IberiansTomb 1 at Kuntur Wasi · c. 800 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesBeads from Cerro de los Vientos · 8th–7th centuries BCE · orientalizing · IberiansGold at Kuntur Wasi · c. 800–550 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesRegolini-Galassi tomb · ca. 675–650 BCE · Etruscans and RomeCondomina Earring · 6th century BCE · IberiansSteppe kurgans · 7th–4th centuries BCE · Scythians and SakaVix Tomb · c. 500 BCE · Celtic worldsLa Venta grave goods · ca. 600–400 BCE · Maya worldsEzerovo Ring · 5th century BCE · chronology discussed in the bibliography · ThraciansGrave goods of Baza and Toya · First half of the 4th century BCE · IberiansTreasure of Jávea · 4th century BCE · IberiansSusa grave goods · c. 350 BCE · Achaemenid PersiaPunic head pendant · Mid 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansTreasure of Cheste · Jewellery from the 4th–3rd centuries BCE; concealment at the end of the 3rd century BCE. · IberiansMarina Alta Hoard · Jewellery: 5th–2nd centuries BCE; concealment probably around 80–73 BCE. · IberiansGolyamata Kosmatka · End of the 4th century – beginning of the 3rd century BCE; ritual burial at the beginning of the III according to Iskra. · ThraciansMairena Hoard · 3rd century BCE · IberiansChão de Lamas pectoral · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · concealed in the early 1st century BCE · IberiansFibula from Lancia · ≈300–100 BCE · IberiansNorthern mound · 2nd–1st centuries BCE · Yayoi JapanHorse fibula · 2nd century BCE · disputed chronology · IberiansSimancas-type belt buckle · Second half of the IV century–V century CE · IberiansPakal’s grave goods · sealed on 28 August 683 CE · Maya worldsMissing grave goods · 13th–15th centuries according to the heritage overview · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
A closer look About 1 min to read · 1 section. Further reading and sources · free access. Editorial review recorded: September 5, 2026 .
The hands received attention the feet do not have The URMU catalogue draws attention to the contrast between the carefully worked arms and hands and the much less developed feet. The carving selects which parts should be visible, together with incisions and marks arranged on the body. This inequality of detail is not necessarily lack of skill: it is part of the preserved composition. Viewing the figurine from all sides allows one to move beyond the first impression of the bodily volumes and ask about specific carving decisions, even when its symbolic intent remains open.
Reference images and provenance View full-size photograph ⛶ PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · Catatine · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photograph of the original taken by Catatine at the Urgeschichtliches Museum Blaubeuren in 2020. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Documentary original · Exact correspondence
Catatine · Urgeschichtliches Museum Blaubeuren (URMU) · Inventory: 1977-0119-0030-9000
Location and territory Physical world map with routes of human evolution Present-day world coastline from Natural Earth in an equirectangular projection. The overlaid markers let you explore each milestone. Map base: Natural Earth 1:110m · public domain · present-day reference coastline LOCATED SITE
Hohle Fels · Germany Marker for the Swabian Jura cave. Where it is held Item or group in the record · On display
Property of the Archäologisches Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg.
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