Venus of Willendorf

ancient art · archaeology · ice age

Incredibly ancient artifact. The Venus of Willendorf was carved about 30,000 years ago during the Ice Age, making it one of the oldest known human artworks ever discovered.

Fits in your hand. This figurine is only 11.1 centimeters tall, roughly the size of your thumb, yet archaeologists have studied it for over a century.

Colored with red ochre. Ancient people carved the limestone figurine and then painted it red using a natural pigment called ochre, which archaeologists found still clinging to its surface.

Traveled far from home. The stone used to carve the Venus wasn't found near Willendorf, Austria, meaning prehistoric people carried this special limestone from somewhere else to make their artwork.

Museum treasure today. This priceless artifact has been safely kept in Vienna's Natural History Museum since it was discovered in 1908, where visitors from around the world can see it.