One of 13 Grimaldi Venuses found at the Balzi Rossi caves in northern Italy, this female statuette stands 2.4 inches tall and is about 24,000 years old. It's now housed at the National Archaeology Museum in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

Who were these ‘Queens of the Stone Age’?

Were they goddesses—or toys? The true purpose of ancient figurines known as the “Stone Age Venuses” has stumped scholars for more than a century.

Pint-size icon

More than 200 Paleolithic female figurines have been found all across Europe and western Asia. This 24,000-year-old icon is one of 13 Grimaldi Venuses found at the Balzi Rossi caves in northern Italy; pint-sized, it stands just 2.4 inches tall.
Scala, Florence
This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

Read This Next

Did this mysterious human relative bury its dead?
This new birth control for cats doesn't require surgery
How the Zoot Suit Riots changed America

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet