24.000-19.000BCE,Grimaldi Cave, Italy
Venusfigurines of Grimaldi
The Venus figurines from Grimaldi are thirteen stone-age representations of the female body
age: ca. 24.000 bis 19.000 BCE (Gravettien age)
size: between 2,4 and 7,5 cm
material: soapstone
place of discovery: Balzi-Rossi („Red Cliffs“) caves in Liguria, Italy
excavations: between 1883 and 1895
Collective term
As with the Venus figurines from Kostenki, this is a group designation because several (13) figurines were found at the site.
Balzi Rossi caves
The complex is composed of numerous coves and shelters,among others, the Grotta Grimaldi.
In the late 19th century, several stone age finds of extreme age had been made in the caves and rock shelters around the Balzi Rossi, including several Venus figurines. Around the turn of the 20th century, Albert I, Prince of Monaco, financed the archaeological exploration of the seven most important caves. These were named "Caves of Grimaldi" in honour of the House of Grimaldi.
