Roots of Proto-Celtic/Germanic Mythos, folk faith in prehistoric Swabia? (Part 2)
by Sean Jobst 24 February 2020 Continuing on from Part 1 , there are more archaeological findings from Swabia that illuminate our understanding of prehistoric folk faith while also telling us about ourselves. Found at Hohlenstein-Stadel ("hollow-rock barn") in the Lonetal region in 1939, its dating to between 35,000 and 40,000 years ago makes it both the oldest zoomorphic and figurative art ever found. It was not until 1969 that the 200 fragmented pieces were assembled together again into the 12.2 inch/31cm tall male figure with a lion's head.(1) As with the others, the Löwenmensch was carved from mammoth ivory. That many spears found within Paleolithic burials were also made from mammoth ivory despite its fragility, demonstrates an early "autonoetic" purpose for another existence after death symbolized by the material itself.(2) The Löwenmensch's human features are evident in his upright posture and sloping shoulders, while the head, shorter ...