Women From Willendorf, Research Paper Example

The “Woman of Willendorf” is also known as “Venus of Willendorf” and was found in 1908 near Willendorf, Austriaby archaeologist Josef Szombathy. Historians believe that this figure was carved around 28,000 B.C.E to 25,000 B.C.E. This figurine is small, measuring 10.8 centimeters, and is made from oolitic limestone. The original artist changed its coloring by tinting it with red ochre; oolitic limestone is typically white or gray in color.

Little is known about this piece because there is a gap in knowledge concerning the culture of people who lived during ancient times, but it is clear that this figurine was meant to represent a female. Many carvings of this sort have been found, which lead researchers to conclude that the “Woman of Willendorf” has some kind of symbolic or ritualistic significance. Since the parts of the body that are associated with childbearing are emphasized, historians believe that this woman symbolizes fertility and may have been used in rituals to confer fertility upon women.

The shape of the figure is indicative of its subject matter and function. The figurine does not have feet and never had any, which may emphasize the importance of the other body parts. She has no face, but her head is adorned with circular horizontal bands, which may either represent hair or a headdress. She also has protruding breasts and stomach, and her genitals are emphasized as well. Ultimately, this Paleolithic piece of art is believed to be a fertility goddess, although it could easily represent an average woman who lived in ancient times. It is possible that as archeologists uncover more of these figures, we will be able to understand the true reason that they were created for.