Whilst this sculpture of a mammoth may not be the most striking work of art from the Ice Age, it did lead to the discovery of the world-famous site of Dolní Věstonice, Moravia in the Czech Republic.

Sculpted, not carved, in clay and then baked, this miniaturized ceramic piece was found in 1923.

The rounded back may indicate a young mammoth [as opposed to the sloping back of an adult].

Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien.

Culture taking its name from the La Gravette site, Dordogne, France, and lasted from about 28,000 years ago until 22,000 years ago. Original elements in Gravettian cave art include the use of hand stencils, and the type of female statuette widely but incorrectly known as 'Venus' first appear in the portable art of this period.

Source: Dr Jean Clottes

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