Dolní Věstonice (archaeological site)

Dolní Věstonice
Dolní Věstonice
Female face, carved ivory, Dolní Věstonice, Gravettian, c.26,000 BP
Location of Dolní Věstonice
Dolní Věstonice (archaeological site) (Czech Republic)
Alternative nameDolní Věstonice
Coordinates48°52′40″N 16°39′8″E / 48.87778°N 16.65222°E / 48.87778; 16.65222
History
CulturesGravettian
Associated withHomo sapiens

Dolní Věstonice (often without diacritics as Dolni Vestonice) is an Upper Paleolithic archaeological site near the village of Dolní Věstonice in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, at the base of Mount Děvín, 550 metres (1,800 ft). It dates to approximately 26,000 BP, as supported by radiocarbon dating. The site is unique in that it has been a particularly abundant source of prehistoric artifacts (especially art) dating from the Gravettian period, which spanned roughly from 27,000 to 20,000 BC. In addition to the abundance of art, this site also includes carved representations of men, women, and animals, along with personal ornaments, human burials and enigmatic engravings.