Adorant from the Geißenklösterle cave
Upper Paleolithic mammoth ivory engraving
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The Adorant from the Geißenklösterle cave is a 35,000–32,000 year-old[1][2] carved section of mammoth ivory, with a depiction of a human figure. It was discovered in the Geißenklösterle cave in the Swabian Jura near Blaubeuren, Germany in 1979.
Significance
The object (or 'plate') is an exceptional artwork, demonstrating a highly developed aesthetic ability within the Aurignacian culture of the early Upper Palaeolithic.
It is one of several figurative works of art of the Upper Palaeolithic discovered in the cave.[1]
Description and interpretation
The engraved mammoth tusk is a well-preserved, rectangular piece: 38 mm (1.50 in) tall, 14 mm (0.55 in) wide, and 4.5 mm (0.18 in) thick.[1]
Traces of manganese and ochre can be found on it by microscope analysis.[3] The mineral ochre was often used during Palaeolithic rituals.[1]
Front Face (Side A)
The front face has a human figure (anthropoid) of uncertain sex in relief, with raised arms and outstretched legs, but no hands.
The posture is usually interpreted as an expression of worship, which is why in German the figure is called an 'adorant', a word meaning 'worshipper'.
It has been claimed that a belt and sword can be seen, although these are probably natural features of the ivory.[4]
Reverse Face (Side B)
On the plate's reverse are 88 small notches in rows.[5]
Discovery and display
The object was discovered during an excavation in 1979. Excavations took place at the Geißenklösterle cave between 1973 and 1991, and have continued since 2001.[1]
It is now in the collection of the Landesmuseum Württemberg, Stuttgart. Replicas are used for public display, as the original is accessible only for scientific examination.[1]