Archaeologists Discover Two Thumbnail-Size Bird Sculptures Carved From Mammoth Ivory 40,000 Years Ago
Measuring less than an inch long, the figurines were buried beneath Germany's Hohle Fels Cave, where some of the world's oldest known figurative artworks have been found
Around 40,000 years ago, early humans living in a cave in present-day Germany adorned themselves with two miniature bird sculptures carved from mammoth ivory. Discovered in 2025, the figurines, weighing less than an ounce each and measuring less than an inch long, are the smallest Ice Age artworks found in the region. One bird sculpture appears to have its wings spread, while the other is found lying down, possibly tending to its eggs.
These delicate artworks, created by the same artist, feature intricate details such as distinct eyes and feather markings. Experts believe one of the birds could be a ptarmigan, while the other may be another ptarmigan or a bird of prey. The figurines were found at the Hohle Fels Cave in southwestern Germany, a protected UNESCO World Heritage site known for its early human artifacts.
The discovery of these tiny bird sculptures suggests that the cave's inhabitants had a unique appreciation for birds, potentially linked to personal talismans or group affiliation. The purpose of these miniature artworks remains a mystery, but they offer a rare glimpse into the cognitive abilities of early humans during the Ice Age.
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