‘Venus’ Figurines in Prehistoric Europe

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‘Venus’ Figurines in Prehistoric Europe:
The Emergence of Art and Belief

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by Cian M. Kerrisk - 2001

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Of particular interest within European prehistory are the remnants of the earliest known artistic depictions and in particular the female statuettes known as ‘Venus’ figurines, the presence of which was evident in their dispersal across vast regions of Europe. By looking at occurrences of ‘Venus’ figurines, the wider climatic and cultural context and the various interpretations that have been proposed by archaeologists it is possible to gain insight into aspects of this phenomenon and gain an insight into European prehistory.

The role of women in society during the Upper Palaeolithic is not known, however the central role of female figurines in the artwork could point to a correlation with the place of women in society. There are some theories that suggest a possible matriarchal social structure and the worship of the divine in feminine form, or the increased role and social status of women in the populace. Dickson brings to light an interesting point in relation to this possibility by emphasising that the Upper Palaeolithic was the first time in prehistory that grave goods were buried with females (Dickson, 1990:214). Other theorists point to the statues as being fertility or cult objects, or that the enormous distribution of these ‘Venus’ figures could allude to a ritualistic exchange system with the figurines playing a central role in inter territory relations (Cunliffe, 2001: 69).

Venus of Brassempouy (about 25,000 years old)