Vogelherd cave yields hundreds of Ice Age animal figurines. Y-shaped cave with three galleries meeting in center Excavated in 1930s, majority of Aurignacian figurines found here Collection includes horses, lions, mammoths, bison, hedgehogs, fish, waterfowl
Vogelherd cave's chambers have produced dozens of finely carved mammoth ivory figurines: horses, lions, mammoths, bison, and other animals. First excavated in the 1930s, these figurines rank among the world's oldest-known Ice Age art. Some have cross-hatched patterns possibly depicting fur or skin.
Key Facts
- Y-shaped cave with three galleries meeting in center
- Excavated in 1930s, majority of Aurignacian figurines found here
- Collection includes horses, lions, mammoths, bison, hedgehogs, fish, waterfowl
- Figurines made from finely carved woolly mammoth ivory
- Some have cross-hatched patterns possibly depicting fur or skin
- Also found: mammoth engraving on bone pendant, musical instruments
- Part of Swabian Jura caves with evidence of Aurignacian and Magdalenian occupation
Related site: Vogelherd cave — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: NEW | 40,000-Year-Old "Proto-Writing" Discovered on Ice Age Artefacts by Ancient Architects