The Robert Bruce Foote Sangankallu Archaeological Museum in Ballari, India’s only museum dedicated to prehistory, has recently introduced 3D replicas of two iconic Paleolithic sculptures: the ‘Lionman’ and ‘Venus.’ These replicas, the earliest examples of sculptural art, date back to the Upper Paleolithic era. According to Prof. Ravi Korishettar, a leading archaeology scholar, these sculptures provide significant insights into the fertility cults practiced by early humans, predating the Bronze Age by thousands of years.
The Lionman, originally discovered in the Stadelzil cave in Germany, is 39,000 years old, while the Venus, found in the Dolni Vestonice site in the Czech Republic, is around 31,000 years old. Both artifacts represent crucial developments in early human artistic expression and cultural practices.
The museum, already renowned for its display of 15 human clone skulls, has seen growing interest, particularly from research students. Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra praised the museum’s efforts in enhancing academic standards and acknowledged Prof. Korishettar’s initiatives in advancing the museum’s collections.
This facility continues to be a valuable resource for researchers studying human biocultural evolution.
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