FEMALE FIGURINE · GRAVETTIAN · ≈28,000 YEARS
Lespugue An ivory figurine damaged during excavation
The figurine broke upon discovery. Its exaggerated forms, by contrast, are part of the original carving.
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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 REPLICA · CONTRIBUTED IMAGE · SOURCE TO BE CONFIRMED Physical replica · Contextual correspondence
User-supplied image. It shows the front and back views of a complete replica of the figurine, not the original ivory, which is damaged. The photograph’s author, location and licence have not been provided and are pending confirmation. The photograph of the original is kept as a documentary reference.
Original in the Musée de l’Homme · MNHN · Inventory: Original: MNHN-HA-19030
View full image: REPLICA · CONTRIBUTED IMAGE · SOURCE TO BE CONFIRMED REPLICA · CONTRIBUTED IMAGE · SOURCE TO BE CONFIRMED Physical replica · Contextual correspondence
User-supplied image. It shows the front and back views of a complete replica of the figurine, not the original ivory, which is damaged. The photograph’s author, location and licence have not been provided and are pending confirmation. The photograph of the original is kept as a documentary reference.
Original in the Musée de l’Homme · MNHN · Inventory: Original: MNHN-HA-19030
View full image: PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 Documentary original · Exact correspondence
Photograph by Marie-Lan Nguyen in the Arts et Préhistoire exhibition at the Musée de l’Homme in 2023. Black-background variant published by 120 on Wikimedia Commons; its 1280-pixel thumbnail is used without altering the object's details. The CC BY 4.0 licence applies to the photograph, although the sculpture is in the public domain.
© Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 4.0; black background: 120 · Musée de l'Homme · MNHN · Inventory: MNHN-HA-19030 · CC BY 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 about 15 cm. All the figurines in this section use the same enlargement, so they keep their relative sizes. The model shows a complete figure; the original is damaged and its current appearance depends on restoration.
History and context Found on 9 August 1922 in the Grotte des Rideaux, the ivory figurine measures fifteen centimetres. The excavation damaged it and modern restoration conditions how it is seen.
Incisions on the back have been read as hair, fibre or a skirt. The observation is real; the name of the garment and any theory about fertility remain open.
Evidence and interpretation Date, place, material, dimensions, damage and incisions are documented. Clothing, pregnancy, beauty or divinity are not.
Catalogue facts
Date ≈28,000 years
Location Grotte des Rideaux · Lespugue, France
Inventory MNHN-HA-19030
Material and measurements Mammoth ivory · 15 × 6 × 4 cm Ivory12 Figurines20 Human imagery73 Sculpture54
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
Lion-man Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian
Hohle Fels Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the 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 You are viewing ≈28,000 years
Lespugue Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Current 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 4 / 11 In the centre: Lespugue
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 · PrehistoryWillendorf · ≈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 · Prehistory — You are viewingKostenki 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 · PrehistoryWillendorf · ≈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 · Prehistory — You are viewingKostenki 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 · ThraciansSculpture Lion-man · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryLespugue · ≈28,000 years · Prehistory — You are viewingZaraysk Bison · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryShigir Idol · C. 10,000 BCE · approximation; debated dating · PrehistoryWarka Mask · End of the 4th millennium BCE · SumerGebel el-Arak knife · 3600–3200 BCE · Naqada II C–D · Ancient EgyptUruk Vase · ca. 3300–3000 BCE · SumerNarmer Palette · ca. 3100 BCE · Ancient EgyptBefore Yayoi · Middle Jōmon, ca. 3000 BCE · Yayoi JapanUr-Nanshe relief · Mid-3rd millennium BCE · reign of Ur-Nanshe · SumerThe goat from PG 1237 · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerStele of the Vultures · Towards 2450–2425 BCE · SumerAkkadian sovereign head · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerBassetki Statue · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerNaram-Sin Stele · Reign of Naram-Sin, 2254–2218 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 worldsThe voice of Ahiram · c. 11th–10th century BCE · PhoeniciansBefore the Scythians and Sakas · Final Bronze–Initial Iron, ca. 1200–600 BCE · Scythians and SakaBlack Obelisk · 825 BCE · SumerIvory 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 culturesStele of Esarhaddon · 7th century BC C. · 671 campaign BCE · SumerThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · IberiansThe Tello Obelisk · c. 800–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesAshurbanipal Hunt · 645–635 BCE · SumerHeads on the wall · c. 800–300 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesTwo 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 PersiaSarcophagus of Eshmunazar · first quarter of the 5th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe statue was the urn · First half of the 4th century BCE · IberiansThe Raimondi Stele · c. 400–200 BCE according to MNAAHP · Pre-Inca culturesTorreáguila fountain spout · 101–125 CE · Etruscans and RomeThe date of 292 · 292 CE · Maya worldsArticulated 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 WorldsGold rhinoceros · ca. 1220–1290; found in 1933 · Bantu-speaking worldsZimbabwe birds · main period of Great Zimbabwe, c. 12th–15th centuries · Bantu-speaking 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 PersiaLararium of Vilauba · Roman period · Etruscans and RomeThe Thracian Horseman · Roman era · diffusion especially in the 2nd–3rd centuries CE · ThraciansA closer look About 1 min to read · 1 section. Further reading and sources · free access. Editorial review recorded: September 5, 2026 .
A form understood by comparing it The Muséum highlights the rhomboidal organisation of Lespugue: the proportions do not seek to distribute volume uniformly. This scheme finds parallels in Gravettian figurines from the French southwest to the plains near the Urals. Comparing them allows investigation of the circulation of concepts and carving solutions, without assuming they all represented the same deity or shared a function. The formal similarity opens a historical question about relations between groups; it is not enough to draw a single culture nor a personal itinerary of its sculptor.
Reference images and provenance View full-size photograph ⛶ PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 Photograph by Marie-Lan Nguyen in the Arts et Préhistoire exhibition at the Musée de l’Homme in 2023. Black-background variant published by 120 on Wikimedia Commons; its 1280-pixel thumbnail is used without altering the object's details. The CC BY 4.0 licence applies to the photograph, although the sculpture is in the public domain.
Documentary original · Exact correspondence
© Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 4.0; black background: 120 · Musée de l'Homme · MNHN · Inventory: MNHN-HA-19030
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
Grotte des Rideaux · Lespugue Approximate cave marker. Where it is held Item or group in the record · Permanent exhibition
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