26,000-Year-Old Mammoth Ivory Portrait: World's Oldest?
A tiny mammoth ivory carving unearthed at the Dolní Vĕstonice archaeological site in the Czech Republic is believed to be the oldest surviving portrait in the world, dating back approximately 26,000 years. Measuring just 4.8 centimeters tall, the sculpture depicts a woman's face with remarkably detailed features including eyes, chin, and nose, possibly wearing her hair up or a hat. Unlike other artifacts from the site, this individualized portrait represents the earliest known depiction of a specific person. In 2018, facial reconstruction of a woman's skull found at the same site revealed striking similarities to the carving, further supporting its identification as a portrait. This discovery offers invaluable insights into the art and culture of Upper Paleolithic humans.