| Venus of Laussel | |
|---|---|
 Tablet on display in the British Museum | |
| Material | Limestone |
| Size | Height: 46 cm |
| Created | c. 23,000 BC |
| Discovered | 1911 Marquay,Dordogne, France |
| Discovered by | Jean-Gaston Lalanne |
| Present location | Musée d'Aquitaine,Bordeaux, France |
TheVenus of Laussel is an 18.11-inch-high (46.0-centimetre)limestonebas-relief of a nude woman. It is painted with redochre and was carved into thelimestone of a rock shelter (Abri de Laussel) in the commune ofMarquay, in theDordogne department of south-westernFrance. The carving is associated with theGravettianUpper Paleolithic culture (approximately 25,000 years old). It is currently displayed in theMusée d'Aquitaine inBordeaux, France.
The figure holds abison horn, or possibly acornucopia, in one hand, which has thirteen notches. She has large breasts, a great stomach, and wide hips. There is a "Y" on her thigh and her faceless head is turned toward the horn. The lower relief was covered in red ochre.[1]
The relief was discovered in 1911 by Jean-Gaston Lalanne, a physician. It was carved into large block of limestone in a rock shelter (abri de Laussel) at the commune ofMarquay in theDordogne department of south-westernFrance. Thelimestone block fell off the wall of the shelter. It was brought to theMusée d'Aquitaine inBordeaux, France.
The figure and the horn are considered significant in figurative studies of Paleolithic art. There are many similarly formed "goddess figures", such asVenus of Willendorf, said to be of potential significance in Eurasianprehistoric religion.[2][3][4][5] The color and the number of notches on the horn may symbolize the number of moons or the number ofmenstrual cycles in one year, or the number of days from menstruation toovulation.[1]
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