Ancient Artistry: Discovering the Oldest-Known Animal Sculptures

A Glimpse into the Aurignacian Era

This is the first depiction of a horse ever made by humans as far as we know, cut from ivory an incredible 35,000 – 40,000 years ago. The carver is believed to be part of the Aurignacian, an Upper Paleolithic group whose people lived between 43,000 and 35,000 years ago, overlapping with Neanderthals. Although it’s determined that the carving represents a stallion, whether it’s rearing back to fight off a predator, strutting to impress a mare, or merely bending down for a mouthful of grass remains unknown since the legs were never recovered.

The Remarkable Discovery

The story of this discovery is fascinating, marked by a stroke of good fortune. In 1931, amateur German archaeologist Hermann Mohn unearthed several flintstone flakes while examining a badger’s den. He informed the University of Tübingen, leading to the excavation of the den by paleo-historian Gustav Riek. These excavations led to Vogelherd Cave, 60 feet above the banks of the River Lone, where Riek found a selection of ivory figurines carved by early humans, including a lion, mammoth, bison, and the iconic horse.

Unveiling Treasures from the Past

Human occupation of the site was documented extensively during the excavation of the entire cave, which yielded tools and artifacts like beads from the Neolithic and Bronze ages. More than 70 years later, a large-scale operation was conducted at Vogelherd Cave to sift through Riek’s excavation tailings. The wealth of artifacts found in his waste piles eventually led to the cave being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From 2005 to 2012, archaeologists recovered 217,000 worked stone pieces, 1,713 tools made from bone, antlers, or ivory, 479 kg of hunted animal bones (plus 235 kg of burned bones), 28 kg of mammoth ivory, and 326 pierced pendants or pieces of jewelry. Among these finds, the most intact lion carving and one of two intact Vogelherd mammoth carvings stood out, showcasing intricate details and crisscrossing lines that might have been attempts to depict fur or religious markings.

Significance of Vogelherd Cave

The Vogelherd Cave was more than just an art gallery; it was a crucial site for early human survival. Hunters brought their game to this cave for the hours-long process of butchering them with stone tools. The assemblage of animal bones, especially those of reindeer and horses, indicates that these were the primary targets for the Aurignacian hunters. Auroch, red deer, wild boar, bison, and chamois remains were also found, though they seemed to be secondary to the primary game. Mammoth remains, likely gathered from sites of natural death, provided additional resources.

The Cradle of Art

In 2007, Vogelherd was designated as a World Heritage Site called Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura, which includes five other caves collectively known as the “cradle of art.” This designation underscores the cave’s significance as a site of early human creativity and ingenuity.

A Legacy of Human Creativity

The discovery of these ancient carvings offers a unique window into the lives of early humans, showcasing their artistic expression and reverence for the animals they hunted. The intricate carvings, particularly the horse sculpture, highlight the advanced skills and imaginative capabilities of our distant ancestors. As we continue to explore and understand these ancient artifacts, we gain deeper insights into the rich tapestry of human history and the enduring legacy of creativity that defines our species.

Sophia H.