Such activities could be linked to magic rituals to ensure the success of the hunt, and especially as protection against predators. Among these figurines it is the larger more dangerous predators – bears and lions – which predominate.
Cracked mammoth figurine
Material: ceramic
Dimensions (length): 70 mm
Exhibit type: copy of original (plaster)
Archaeological site: Pavlov I (Pavlov near Dolní Věstonice, Moravia)
Collection: Institute of Archaeology of the CAS, Brno v.v.i., Czech Republic
The characteristic cracking has probably been caused by thermal shock.
Bear figure with stab wounds
Material:ceramic
Dimensions (length):38 mm
Exhibit type: copy of original (plaster)
Archaeological site: Pavlov I (Pavlov near Dolní Věstonice, Moravia)
Collection: Institute of Archaeology of the CAS, Brno v.v.i., Czech Republic
Lioness head with stab wounds
Material: ceramic
Dimensions (length): 45 mm
Exhibit type: copy of original (plaster)
Archaeological site: Dolní Věstonice I (Dolní Věstonice, Moravia)
Collection: Moravian Museum, Brno, Czech Republic
In the upper left corner of the face are two deep round incisions.