2 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Extraordinary 27,000-Year-Old Gravettian Female Figurine Head Discovered at Amiens-Renancourt, Northern France

Recent archaeological excavations at the Amiens-Renancourt 1 site in northern France have unveiled an extraordinary Gravettian-era female figurine head, dating back approximately 27,000 years.

This rare find stands out among Upper Paleolithic art for its detailed facial features and intricate headdress—offering unprecedented insight into early human artistic expression during the late Palaeolithic era.

Discovery not only enriches our understanding of Upper Paleolithic art but also challenges long-held assumptions about Gravettian female statuettes, often referred to as “Venus figurines.


Figure Head shown before and after cleaning of concretions Credit: Stéphane Lancelot, Inrap

Figure Head shown before and after cleaning of concretions. Credit: Stéphane Lancelot, Inrap

A Unique Find in Gravettian Archaeology

Since the late 19th century, female statuettes from the Gravettian period have fascinated researchers, primarily due to their symbolic importance and enigmatic nature. However, these figurines are typically small, fragmentary, and devoid of detailed facial features. Most lack heads altogether or present heavily abstracted forms. The discovery at Amiens-Renancourt is a rare exception: a finely carved chalk head featuring detailed facial anatomy and an elaborate headdress, offering a rare glimpse into Gravettian artistic expression.

Measuring only 2.1 cm in height, the figurine’s facial features—such as the nose, eyes, and cheeks—are rendered with unusual precision. Notably, the upward gaze, indicated by sunken eye sockets, contrasts with the downward-facing heads of most known Gravettian figurines. The back of the head is adorned with intricate incisions, including grid-like patterns, vertical lines, and notches, which researchers interpret as representing braided hair, a net, or a ritual headdress. Such detailed representation of hairstyle is unique among Gravettian art and may reflect social or ritual significance.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



Rare are the Gravettian faces. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Rare are the Gravettian faces. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Contextualizing the Discovery: Amiens-Renancourt 1

Located near the Selle and Somme valleys, the Amiens-Renancourt 1 site has been a focus of intensive archaeological study since 2013. The site provides one of the best-preserved stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental contexts for Gravettian occupation in Europe, dating to approximately 27,200–27,800 years ago during a milder interstadial climate phase.

Excavations have uncovered over twenty statuettes, primarily carved from ivory and soft stone, with a notable use of chalk—an uncommon material for the period. The statuettes typically depict nude female forms with exaggerated hips and minimal limb detail, consistent with Gravettian artistic conventions. Importantly, the statuettes and fragments were produced on-site, reflecting an active workshop or habitation area with complex social and artistic activity.

Headpiece or hairstyle? Gravettian fashion catalog. Compiled by R. Bourrillon & E. Deneuve, after the cited authors. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Headpiece or hairstyle? Gravettian fashion catalog. Compiled by R. Bourrillon & E. Deneuve, after the cited authors. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Significance for Paleolithic Art and Culture

This newly discovered figurine challenges the conventional perception of Gravettian “Venus” figurines as anonymous, stylized symbols of fertility or female deities. Instead, the individualized facial features and distinct headdress suggest a possible portrayal of a specific individual or social role. The grid patterns and ornamentation echo motifs found across Europe and Russia, indicating cultural connections and shared artistic traditions among Gravettian groups.

Moreover, the craftsmanship reveals sophisticated techniques in carving fragile chalk, preserving fine details such as scraping and polishing marks. This underlines the technical skill and aesthetic sensibility of Upper Paleolithic artisans.

Female statuettes of Amiens-Renancourt 1. Credit: Stéphane Lancelot, Inrap
Female statuettes of Amiens-Renancourt 1. Credit: Stéphane Lancelot, Inrap

Future Research and Display

Following meticulous restoration, including microscopic cleaning and 3D modeling, the figurine is slated for exhibition at the Musée de Picardie in Amiens, alongside other findings from the site. Ongoing interdisciplinary studies aim to deepen our understanding of the social, artistic, and environmental contexts of this exceptional discovery.

Clément Paris, Émeline Deneuve, Claire Brière, David Hérisson, Pierre Antoine, Paule Coudret, Sylvie Coutard, Jean-Pierre Fagnart, Nejma Goutas, Jessica Lacarriere, Olivier Moine, Caroline Peschaux, Maxence Toubin. “A new face for the Gravettian. Exceptionnal discovery of a female statuette at Amiens-Renancourt 1 (France)”. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 66, October 2025, 105285, doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105285

Related Articles

Ukraine says Russian forces stole Scythian treasures from Melitopol Museum

11 May 2022

11 May 2022

Invading Russian troops have stolen items of ancient Scythian gold and other historical and cultural valuables that were stored in...

The Bronze Sacred Sanxingdui Tree Number 3 is Being Restored

9 April 2021

9 April 2021

According to the announcement of the Sanxingdui Museum, archaeologists have begun to assemble and restore the No. 3 bronze sacred...

The University of Aberdeen is to Return a Benin Bronze

5 April 2021

5 April 2021

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, Nigeria has been calling for the return of stolen Benin bronzes (including brass reliefs,...

A 2000-year-old bronze military diploma was discovered in Turkey’s Perre ancient city

2 January 2022

2 January 2022

During excavations in the ancient city of Perre, located in the southeastern Turkish province of Adiyaman, archaeologists uncovered a bronze...

1800-year-old statue head found in Ancient Smyrna Theater in western Turkey

30 July 2022

30 July 2022

A statue head dated to the 2nd century AD was unearthed during the excavations at the Ancient Smyrna Theater, located...

The Worst Torture Device in History “Brazen Bull”

2 February 2021

2 February 2021

Agrigentum Tyranny today is in the provincial borders of Agrigento in the Sicily Autonomous Region in the southwest of Sicily....

Stunning Roman-looking sandal found deep in the snow in the Norwegian mountains

16 April 2022

16 April 2022

Global warming is leading to the retreat of mountain glaciers. Incredibly well preserved and rare artifacts have emerged from melting...

60-million-year-old Snail Fossil Found in southern Turkey

22 May 2021

22 May 2021

A snail fossil dating to the age of 60 million was found in Mersin’s Toroslar district. The snail fossil discovered...

Terracotta Figurines of the ancient cult of the goddess Cybele discovered in Pompeii Domus

26 December 2023

26 December 2023

Archaeologists unearthed 13 terracotta figurines during recent excavations in the Domus adjacent to the “House of Leda and the Swan”...

Iconic 2,500-Year-Old Coțofenești Helmet and Dacian Treasures Stolen from Dutch Museum

26 January 2025

26 January 2025

A heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, has resulted in the theft of several invaluable artifacts from the...

Egypt Traces Relics of Ramses III to the Arabian Peninsula

7 June 2021

7 June 2021

Following various findings showing ancient Egyptian King Ramses III had a presence on the Arabian Peninsula, an Egyptian archaeological team...

New AI Tool ‘Fragmentarium’ Brings Ancient Babylonian Texts Together

6 February 2023

6 February 2023

An artificial intelligence (AI) bot was developed by linguists at the Institute for Assyriology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany...

Over 20 terracotta warriors have been discovered in the Terracotta Army pit in China

24 January 2022

24 January 2022

More than 20 Terracotta Warriors were unearthed from the Terracotta Army pit in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province, according to...

10,000-year-old Sculptures and Figurines holding Phallus of the Taş Tepeler in the southeast Turkey

17 June 2022

17 June 2022

One of the common features of male depictions with similar features found in the region called Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills),...

2,000-year-old Celtic hoard of gold ‘rainbow cups’ discovered in northeastern Germany

13 January 2022

13 January 2022

Archaeologists have found an ancient Celtic coins treasure consisting of 41 gold coins in a field in Brandenburg, a state...