< home # store # services # articles # game # app #contact >

Within the Lonetal Sites, in the Swabian Alb, near the city of Ulm, Germany. The Löwenmensch figurine, also called the Lion-man of Hohlenstein-Stade was found
It is amazing! Many pre-historic objects. Including many of the pieces comprising it. Were puzzled together making the lion man we know and see today.

Stadel Cave, where the Lion Man was first identified, is different. It faces north and does not get the sun
It is cold. And, the density of debris from human activities is much less than at other sites. It made sense as a good place to preserve the mammoth tusk carving!

From the entrance, the figurine lay. In a chamber almost 30 metres (98 ft) to the back
He was found in a dark inner chamber, carefully put away into dark. A cache of fox teeth and reindeer antlers were nearby. What a cache.

Evidence suggest Stadel cave was a good place people could come together
They would share beliefs, common understanding and outlooks on the world. And, it was symbolized in art, sculptures, and rituals.

The carving process:
Removing and carving the mammoth tusk. Would have been a complex and very time-consuming task
Skin and bone would have needed to been cut thru. And, the tusk, hammered and chiselled off. The tusk tip would have been even harder. Because it was where mammoths ram together during mating, or for protection.

The tusk probably needing to be split and cut off
It was not known how long, or how many carvers were involved in the actual process. However recently, using stone tools, scientists conducted an experimental replication. And, it took around 400 hours.

Many of the caves begin formal excavation by German historians around 1937
They were interrupted because of WW2. The main ivory bone pieces of the sculpture were found. And, they had to wait until after the war to gather and collect the remaining.

In 1939 they carbon dated the pieces between 35 and 41k years
Associated with aurignacian culture of the upper paleolithic. It became one of the oldest-known examples of an artistic representation.

30 years later, scientists went back. In the 1960s, they continued, finding and assembling the greater than 200 additional fragments

In the 1980s scientists realized the figurine was only 2/3 complete, and an updated restoration could begin
Its back was damaged. Legs were missing pieces. Using a secret glue and silicone solution, the model was asphyxiated together better again.

In 2008, using computers, all layers were sifted thru systematically again
Even more minute fragments were discovered. And, using more modern technology. Simulated using electronics. In 2012 they took it apart, the new pieces were added, and fake ones taken out. It even grew a couple centimeters.

Perhaps missing male sex organ?
After the restoration it was realized that the triangular platelet in the genital area was all processed around. And, that a fractured piece could be missing.

Similar but smaller lion-headed human figurine have been found
There was similar finds in Hohle Fels. And, it could have been members from the same group. It has led some to believe aurignacians practiced a form of shamanism. What did you think?

French cave paintings show hybrid human bodied animal headed figurines too
Such as sorcerer in Trois Frères , or bison man from Grotte de Gabillou in Dordogne.

Others believe the figure resembles a bear head with human body
Needless. The figure depicts and important symbolism of the body, ancient civilizations and art.

After several reconstructions. It currently sits at 31.1cm (12.2 in); 5.6cm (2.2 in); and 5.9cm of 2.3 thick
It is currently displayed in the Museum Ulm, in the town of Ulm. Check it out!

Bibliography: “Lion Man” (http://www.loewenmensch.de/lion_man.html). lowenmensch.de. Ulm, DE: Museum Ulm. — museum official Lion-Man website with information about the figurine

“Discovery: 1939” (http://www.loewenmensch.de/entdeckung_1939.html). Löwenmensch: Entdeckung (in German). Ulm, DE: Museum Ulm.

“14C dating – The age of the lion man” (http://www.loewenmensch.de/figur_3.html). loewenmensch.de (in German). Ulm, Germany: Museum Ulm.