35,000 Year Old Mammoth Sculpture Found

[freemonkey]

in Germany. From Here (http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,489776,00.html)

Archaeologists at the University of Tübingen have recovered the first entirely intact woolly mammoth figurine from the Swabian Jura, a 220-meter long plateau in the state of Baden-Württemberg, thought to have been made by the first modern humans some 35,000 years ago. It is believed to be the oldest ivory carving ever found. "You can be sure," Tübingen archaeologist Nicholas J. Conard told SPIEGEL ONLINE, "that there has been art in Swabia for over 35,000 years."

Apparently, they found 5 sculptures at the site. So cool.

[LadyShea]

Oh how cool. I am often amazed at the constancies (is that a word?) of humans- aside from survival- namely art and music. It unites us with our ancestors in a way that cooking pots don't...for me anyway.

[Watser?]

It certainly looks like something a contemporary person could wear.

[Leesifer]

Wow! That is definitely cool. I love the 4th picture in the link.

[Kyuss Apollo]

I always get a thrill looking at something like that and imagining the people who had made it, who had looked at it at some point and pondered it? It's what I love about archaeology--that and the fact every person who has ever lived has left something behind, made some kind of imprint on the earth, from footprints and artifacts to their own physical remains. It's so much more democratic than history.

And then to wonder what of all the stuff I have owned and used over the course of my life, what totally random thing might survive and get discovered in thirty-five thousand years?

[livius drusus]

I love his shoulder hump. Too adorable. :aww:

[freemonkey]

It certainly looks like something a contemporary person could wear.

I always wonder if there would be a large market for reproductions of this kind of stuff. I mean, I always covet it, but how many others would?

[The Lone Ranger]

I always wonder if there would be a large market for reproductions of this kind of stuff. I mean, I always covet it, but how many others would?

You might be surprised. I don't think it's a huge market, but there's definitely a market for reproductions of ancient tools, weapons, and artwork. For example, I've done some business with a company called Museum Replicas, Inc. (http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/Home.aspx). They sell silly stuff like reproductions of weapons from movies, but more importantly, they make and sell historically-accurate and battle-ready weapons. (Most of the cheap swords you've seen for sale -- "wall hangers" as they're derisively called -- are both inaccurate and made of low-quality steel. They'd shatter if ever used in actual combat.) If I'm going to pay good money for a sword, I want it to be accurate, I want it to be well-made (i.e., properly weighted and balanced), and I want it to be usable.


Another company that specializes in reproducing ancient weapons and artwork is Aurora History Boutique (http://www.aurorahistoryboutique.com/). Most of their stuff is military in nature, but they also sell replicas of ancient artwork.


The British Museum (http://www.britishmuseum.co.uk/Lists.aspx?ListType=1&ID=26) sells replicas of some of the artifacts in its collection, including a really neat reproduction of the Rosetta Stone that I wouldn't mind having.


For those interested in paleontology, there are several places that specialize in making and/or selling fossils and reproductions of bones/fossils. Maxilla and Mandible (http://www.maxillaandmandible.com/) is one. They sell real bones and casts of real fossils that are so accurate we've bought them and used them as tools in Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy courses.



I wouldn't be at all surprised if somebody makes a replica of the mammoth sculpture for sale. Heck, I'd sure be tempted to buy one!


Cheers,

Michael

[wei yau]

For example, I've done some business with a company called Museum Replicas, Inc. (http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/Home.aspx). They sell silly stuff like reproductions of weapons from movies, but more importantly, they make and sell historically-accurate and battle-ready weapons.

Whoa, I'm all in for the silly stuff! They've got replicas of Storm Shadow's Sword (http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/g_i_joe/the_sword_of_storm_shadow.aspx) and Snake Eyes Sword (http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/g_i_joe/the_sword_of_snake_eyes.aspx).

And they aren't all that expensive, considering. Even the silly stuff is battle-ready?

[The Lone Ranger]

I doubt the silly stuff is properly weighted or balanced for combat. I haven't checked to see what quality steel they use for such things, but my guess is that they're meant for show rather than use. not combat-usable; stainless is brittle.]


Cheers,

Michael


ETA: It does say they're made of high-carbon steel, so they're probably rather better quality than your average "wall hanger."

[wei yau]

Eh, that's fine. My ninja skillz ain't all that, so I probably would never have need for the swords in battle.

[Pendaric]

Does anybody buy a sword with the expectation of using it in battle?

[The Lone Ranger]

Probably not. But if I'm going to buy a sword, I bloody-well want one that will survive kata drills and cutting exercises without being ruined in the process.

And there are a number of "live steel" people who spar with real (though blunted, of course) swords.

Cheers,

Michael

[Dingfod]

Does anybody buy a sword with the expectation of using it in battle?Why else would anyone buy one?

[MizarB]

It's quite possible that the sculptures had religious/ceremonial use, and werent' just kewl things to have and look at. Religious delusions go way back, waaaaaayy back!

[But]

Off topic, but :lol:

The joys of Microsoft crap.