The bison, sculpted in mammoth ivory and coloured with red ochre, is one of the largest ivory sculptures of the Ice Age. Its distinct naturalism is exceptional. Archaeologists also know that the two left legs of the sculpture were deliberately broken before it was carefully buried.

Discovered at Zaraysk, Russia, and dated at roughly 20,000 years, this piece depicts a female bison and was fully sculpted in the round. The shape and taper of the tusk has been used efficiently, capturing the variation of form - between the forequarters and the hindquarters and between the high shoulders and the lower central back - and giving the piece a subtle naturalism and sense of movement. The slight angle of the head from the front view produces the same effect.

Damaging a successful piece that would have taken time and skill to create before burying it is a significant gesture, one charged with symbolism and emotion.

Zaraysk Museum of Art & History, Russia.

Culture which succeeded the Gravettian about 22,000 years ago and lasted until 17,000 years ago in some areas. Identified at the Solutré site in east-central France near Mâcon, and found mostly in France and Spain, the Solutrean is famous for its exquisite flint-knapping.

Source: Dr Jean Clottes

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