Venus of Dolní Věstonice
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The Venus of Dolní Věstonice (Věstonická Venuše in Czech) is a so called Venus figurine, a statuette of a nude female figure dated to 29,000–25,000 BCE (Gravettian industry). This figurine (together with few others from nearby locations) is the oldest known ceramic in the world.
It has height of 111 millimeters and maximal width of 43 millimeters. The statue is made of weakly burned clay. Figures of animals (bear, lion, mammoth, horse, fox, rhino and owl) have been found as well, in addition to more than 2,000 balls of burnt clay.
Since discovery
Beginning in 1924, the palaeolithic settlement of Dolní Věstonice in Moravia, Czechoslovakia was under systematic archaelogical research led by Karel Absolon.
The figurine was discovered on July 13th, 1925 in a layer of ash broken into two pieces. Subsequently, it was put on display. It is now protected in the Moravian Museum in Brno and not accessible to the public.
Scientists examine the statuette from time to time. A tomograph scan in 2004 found a fingerprint of a 10 year old child on it.
References
- Nat'l Geogr. Soc. Wonders of the Ancient World; National Geographic Atlas of Archaeology, Norman Hammond, Consultant, Nat'l Geogr. Soc., (Multiple Staff authors), (Nat'l Geogr., R.H.Donnelley & Sons, Willard, OH), 1994, 1999, Reg or Deluxe Ed., 304 pgs. Deluxe ed. photo (pg 248): "Venus," Dolni Vèstonice, 24,000 B.C. In section titled: The Potter's Art, pp 246-253; (precedes 11,000 BC, Japanese Jomon Culture pottery).