Man-Lion (Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany) by Université d'Ulm/smergcGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site
It’s all too easy to think of art as a relatively recent invention - the product of the last few thousand or so years. The Romans and Greeks sculpted, we have stunning tapestries from the Medieval period and majestic paintings from the Renaissance. But humans have always had the urge to create works of art. And no single piece highlights that better than the Lion Man, of Ulm Museum.
This astonishing work of art is believed to be around 40,000 years old. He stands just 31cm tall, with the head of lion on a human body, upright on his toes with legs slightly apart. However, even though the body is human in form this too has a distinct cat-like quality.
His eyes seem to stare right back at the viewer, with detail and character in the face almost hinting that this creature is listening, watching and waiting – perhaps getting ready to pounce.
A religious icon?
This small but beautiful statue is the oldest known artwork to depict a physical form that does not naturally occur. It suggests a belief in the other, the mythical or even the magical.
Tusk of a mammoth (2017-09-21) by Sven Traenkner, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für NaturforschungSenckenberg Nature Museum Frankfurt
It's impossible to know why he was made, or indeed, who made him. What we do know is that he was found in a cave in southern Germany in 1939. He is made from a mammoth tusk and depicts a type of lion that was once prevalent in this part of Europe but long since extinct.
Felines (Chauvet Cave, Ardèche) (2008/2008) by L. Guichard/Perazio/smergcGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site
This European lion was slightly larger than its African cousin, with no mane. It’s almost certain that lions like those depicted, and humans like those who carved this piece of art would have come into regular contact. Though who was the hunter and who the hunted is impossible to know. Perhaps this piece is an offering or totem reflecting the artist's respect for the other creatures with whom they shared a world.
How long did it take to make?
What we can be certain of is that this is not a casual piece of work. Experiments with the materials and form have shown it would have taken around 400 hours to carve. This is a huge amount of time given contemporary lifestyles and the fact this artwork had no practical purpose that could aid survival. But then, maybe it was something more important than that?
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Where was it discovered?
The statue was found in Stadel Cave, a north facing, cold and damp environment. Not a place where anyone could have lived permanently. Lion Man was found in a small antechamber, stashed away in the darkness. Whoever put it there was hiding it or keeping it safe, so it must have had great significance.
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In fact, Lion Man may be the oldest known evidence we have for religious belief. In 2017, UNESCO acknowledged this fact by recognising Stadel Cave as a World Heritage Site.
By Ralph MorseLIFE Photo Collection
Has 'Lion Man' left you wanting more?
If your interested in prehistoric art has been piqued, you can find out about other significant works here.
