The Venus of Brassempouy, ANCIENT PALEOLITHIC FEMALE FIGURINE

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This breathtakingly beautiful and haunting sculpture of a woman's head was carved from mammoth ivory during the Ice Age, showcasing an incredible 25,000-year-old prehistoric masterpiece that stands as the oldest known realistic depiction of a human face. French archaeologist and prehistorian Édouard Piette made the groundbreaking discovery in 1892, uncovering the figurine in the Grotte du Pape (meaning 'The Pope's Cave'), one of two caves nestled near the village of Brassempouy in southwestern France's Landes department. The Venus of Brassempouy was crafted from mammoth ivory and dated to around 23,000 BC. Measuring approximately 3.5 cm (1.38 inches), this fragmentary figurine is a marvel of ancient craftsmanship, with only its head discovered intact. Her serene face is triangular in shape, exuding tranquility, while the forehead, nose, and brows are carved in relief – a striking contrast to the absent mouth. A vertical crack on the right side of her face runs parallel to the internal structure of the ivory, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship that went into creating this masterpiece. On top of her head lies an intriguing checkerboard-like pattern formed by two sets of shallow incisions at 90-degree angles to each other – a unique representation that has been interpreted as a wig, a hood, or simply a stylized depiction of hair. Today, the Venus of Brassempouy is proudly displayed in the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, just a stone's throw from Paris. However, due to its delicate nature, this precious figurine is not on permanent exhibit, as it is highly susceptible to changes in moisture, temperature, and light. This STL was created from a high-resolution scan of the original cast of this ancient masterpiece during its exhibition in the Czech Republic many years ago. After two years of tireless research and scanning using the latest cutting-edge technology (25 microns), I have produced the most accurate and museum-quality exact recreation of the original Venus figurine available today, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the artistry of our ancestors.