40,000-year-old bird figurines the size of a thumbnail discovered in German cave

Two miniature bird sculptures, each the size of a thumbnail, have been discovered in Hohle Fels Cave in Germany. The figurines, carved from mammoth ivory, date back 40,000 years. This discovery is significant because bird depictions are rare in Ice Age art.

The find adds to the ongoing mystery of why birds were not commonly represented in prehistoric art. The artifacts were found in the same cave where other notable Ice Age artworks have been discovered. The Smithsonian Magazine and ZME Science have covered the story, emphasizing the rarity and historical significance of the bird figurines.

The discovery has sparked interest among archaeologists and historians, who are eager to understand more about the cultural and artistic practices of early humans. The next steps involve further analysis of the figurines to determine more about their origins and the techniques used to create them. Archaeologists will also continue to explore Hohle Fels Cave for additional artifacts that could provide more context about the people who created these miniature sculptures.