Creation of Venus Figurines Might Be Due to Climate Change and Diet

Venus figurines are one of the world's earliest examples of art. It was carved over 30,000 years ago in which most of them are found in Europe, but some were found in Siberia and some parts of Eurasia. It was the very first Palaeolithic sculptural representation of a woman found in modern times.

At some point, Venus figurines were seen as symbols of fertility or a mother goddess. It also depicted an obese or pregnant woman. But scientists have been intrigued and puzzled by this prehistoric art ever since it was discovered.

A researcher from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has offered a new explanation for Venus figurines. He believes that he has gathered evidence regarding the mystery behind these sculptures.

Climate Change and Diet Explains the Mystery

According to an article in Phys.org, the lead author of the study Richard Johnson, MD, said that the key to understanding the Venus figurines lies in understanding the climate change and the people's diet during the time it was created.

Johnson said that some of the earliest art were these mysterious Venus figurines that looked overweight women when it was less likely to be found during the Ice Age in Europe because it was a time of great nutritional stress.

The figurines measure about 6 to 16 centimeters in length and are either made in stone, ivory, horn, or clay. Some of these figurines were even worn as amulets in the past.

Johnson and his c-authors from various universities around the world measured the waist-to-hip ratio of the Venus figurines and discovered that those found nearest the glaciers were the most obese, but are less obese in the areas where the climate is warmer and glaciers retreated. They believe these figurines were the representations of idealized body types back then.

Heirloom Passed Down From Mother to Daughter

According to the researchers, obesity during that time was the desired condition. After all, an obese pregnant woman has more chances of carrying the child to full-term than those suffering from malnutrition.

That being said, it means that people in the past see these figurines with spiritual; meaning that could protect the woman during pregnancy and birth.

Science Daily also reported that the figures looked worn out, an indication that it has been passed down from mother to daughter, becoming a family heirloom. Perhaps women in the past were given hopes by wearing one of these figurines as it was their desired body type.

"Increased fat would provide a source of energy during gestation through the weaning of the baby and as well as much needed insulation," the authors said. therefore, ensuring that the family line would carry on until the next generation.

The success of amassing evidence to explain the Venus figurines came from applying medical science and measurements to the archaeological data, as well as the behavioral models of anthropology.