Swabian Pride

by Sean Jobst 24 March 2020 There are two final Paleolithic artifacts to discuss in relation to understanding native spiritual traditions of Schwaben and, generally, Celtic and Germanic folk faith in the process. Called such due to its posture of outstretched arms and legs as if in worship, "The Adorant" statue was found in the Geißenklösterle cave near Blaubeuren in 1979. Its dimensions are 38mm (1.50 inch) tall, 14 mm (0.55 inch) wide, and 4.5 mm (0.18 inch) thick. It was carved from mammoth ivory but microscopic analysis uncovered traces of manganese and ochre.(1) One of its most apparent features are the geometric notch rows on the long and short sides and upon the back.(2) The placement of the incisions parallel across the arms suggests something deeper than the clothing, tattoos or scars that were proposed for the Venus of Hohle Fels.(3) These parallel markings also exist on the Löwenmensch (2,000 years younger than the Adorant), suggesting the same culture