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What is the oldest known artifact from ancient Europe?

Alani Oxlee

Hey! When it comes to the oldest known artifact from ancient Europe, there are a few possibilities, but one of the most famous is the Venus of Hohle Fels. This is a small figurine, made of mammoth ivory, that was discovered in a cave in southwestern Germany back in 2008. It's estimated to be about 40,000 years old, which makes it one of the earliest examples of human creativity that we've found in Europe.

The Venus of Hohle Fels is notable for a few reasons. First of all, it's a very early example of figurative art, which means that it's an image of something recognizable (in this case, a woman). Before the Venus was discovered, most examples of prehistoric art were abstract or geometric shapes, like lines and dots. The fact that someone took the time to carve this figurine so carefully and realistically is amazing.

Additionally, the Venus is significant because it suggests that people in Europe were creating art and expressing themselves much earlier than we previously thought. It's also one of the first examples we have of a human figure with exaggerated sexual characteristics—specifically, very large breasts and hips. Some people think this indicates that the Venus was a fertility symbol or a representation of a goddess.

Of course, the Venus of Hohle Fels isn't the only ancient artifact we've found in Europe. There are plenty of other examples of cave paintings, sculptures, and tools that date back tens of thousands of years. But the Venus is certainly one of the most interesting, and it gives us a glimpse into the minds and motivations of some of our earliest ancestors.

I hope that helps answer your question! Let me know if you want to know more about the Venus of Hohle Fels or other ancient European artifacts.