The oldest bird sculpture in the world! Ancient sculpture of a bird carved from mammoth ivory, a mystery from the Hohle Fels cave in Germany.
In 2002, a revolutionary discovery was made by archaeologists in the Hohle Fels cave, located in the Ach Valley in Germany. During the excavations, they found a small sculpture of a bird carved from mammoth ivory, estimated to be 33,000 years old. This figure is considered one of the first artistic representations of humanity, and the oldest known of a bird.
The sculpture represents an aquatic bird, possibly a cormorant, in a diving posture. Their wings are close to the body, capturing an agile and dynamic movement characteristic of these birds in their natural environment. With a compact size, the details are meticulously carved, from the shape of the wings to the overall posture of the body, reflecting remarkable craftsmanship.
The material used is mammoth ivory, a valuable resource at that time, demonstrating the skill and use of natural materials by prehistoric humans. This figure is not only a work of art, but also evidence of the cognitive development, creativity and aesthetic sense of humans tens of thousands of years ago.
This sculpture belongs to the Aurignacian period, spanning between 40,000 and 30,000 years ago, when modern humans (Homo sapiens) first settled in Europe. This period witnesses an explosion of artistic creativity, with other notable finds at Hohle Fels, such as the sculpture “Venus of Hohle Fels”, considered the oldest figurative representation, and various musical instruments made of bone and ivory, such as flutes.
This find raises fascinating questions about the spiritual lives of prehistoric humans. Works like this sculpture of a bird not only demonstrate technical carving skills, but also reflect how humans understood and represented the natural world around them. It is also possible that these sculptures had symbolic or spiritual meanings, expressing beliefs or connections between humans and nature.
Additionally, the bird sculpture highlights the diversity of themes in the art of this era. If works like the “Hohle Fels Venus” emphasize the human figure and fertility, this figure highlights animals, especially those that probably played an important role in the environment or daily life of humans.
The Hohle Fels cave has become a highly relevant archaeological site due to these amazing discoveries. This place not only contains works of art, but also offers a comprehensive view of the life of Aurignacian humans, from tools, musical instruments, to forms of artistic expression.
The 33,000-year-old mammoth ivory bird sculpture marks a pivotal moment in the history of human cultural evolution. It is a testimony that, from very early times, humans possessed a creative capacity and an aesthetic sense that transcended the basic needs of daily survival.
This discovery reminds us of the depth and richness of prehistoric culture, leaving an indelible mark on the historical development of humanity.