Archaeology
Lion Man: The oldest known evidence of religious belief in the world
Name: Lion Man
What it is: An ivory statuette depicting a half-human, half-lion
Where it was found: Inside the dark chamber of a cave in Germany in 1939.
When it was made: 40,000 years ago
What it tells us about the past: Carved out of a mammoth tusk, the 12-inch-tall (31 centimeters) artifact would have been difficult to make. In fact, when researchers conducted an experiment years later using ice age tools, including pieces of flint, they determined it would have taken the artisan approximately 400 hours to complete, according to the British Museum.
Related: ‘William the Hippo’: The ancient Egyptian statuette deliberately crippled to prevent it wreaking havoc in the afterlife
Since this would have been a lot of time dedicated to creating a single piece — especially living in the harsh conditions caused by the ice age — researchers think that the carving was likely used for ceremonial purposes. That conclusion is buttressed by wear patterns found on the body, which show that the item was passed around from person to person. Therefore, the artifact is considered the oldest known evidence of religious belief in the world.
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