The Oldest Portable Art: the Aurignacian Ivory Figurines from the Swabian Jura (Southwest Germany)

Among the earliest known representational artifacts in Europe, Aurignacian ivory figurines from four caves in the Swabian Jura—Hohle Fels, Geißenklösterle, Vogelherd, and Hohlenstein-Stadel—reveal insights into Ice Age human creativity and social structures. These objects, approximately fifty in total, were unearthed alongside musical instruments (flutes) and early paintings, suggesting a sophisticated cultural context. Recent research, combined with archival excavation records, addresses key questions about raw materials, iconography, dating, and the potential social significance of these artifacts. The study employs a question-and-answer format to reinterpret Aurignacian portable art, offering a fresh perspective on its production and use during this pivotal period.

Floss, H. (2015). The Oldest Portable Art: the Aurignacian Ivory Figurines from the Swabian Jura (Southwest Germany). Palethnologie, 7. https://doi.org/10.4000/palethnologie.888