Did you hear about the fascinating tiny figure, carved by Stone Age
tool mammoth tusk that was found recently in Germany? She's just
six centimetres (2.5 inches) tall and could be the oldest piece of
figurative art in the world. Dubbed the "Venus of the Hohle Fels,"
after a cave at Schelklingen in the Swabian Jura of southwestern
Germany where she was found, the carving is around 32,000 years
old, according to carbon-dating measurements.
Like most Venus figurines, she was most likely a fertility fetish,
since her body parts are exaggerated and missing a head. Well, if
this is what was considered attractive way back when, then I was
certainly born in the wrong time period! I think she's fabulous, even
if her figure is a tad on the, well, matronly side.
Archeology fascinates me. I wonder if Chief Leatherlips left behind
any goodies on the grounds of Willow Manor? If you see me out
aimlessly digging with my garden spade, you'll know what I'm up to.
Not only do I like archeology, but miniatures have always captured
my magpie eye. There's just something magical about detailed tiny
objects. Most of my small collected stuff is in a glass keepsake jar,
but I still have quite a few of my minis scattered around the manor.
I have to be careful not to let them get out of control. After all, that
"doily lady" nick-nack paddy-whack effect is not exactly what I'm
striving for.
I wonder what they might think, 35,000 years from now, if they
find these little guys buried in the ruins of Willow Manor? Magical
cooking talismans, I'm sure.
