The Hohlenstein Therianthrope: Ivory, Imagination, and the Paleolithic Mind

The Hohlenstein Therianthrope, or Lion-Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel, is a 40,000-year-old ivory figurine that challenges conventional views on early human cognition. This extraordinary artifact, depicting a hybrid figure with human traits and the head and limbs of a cave lion, showcases sophisticated craftsmanship and symbolic thought. Through archaeological analysis, comparative studies, and cognitive archaeology, this research reveals the Therianthrope as a pivotal expression of Paleolithic humans' ability to conceptualize complex symbolic behavior, potentially linked to shamanistic practices or mythological narratives. The study provides new insights into the origins of human spirituality and artistic expression during the Upper Paleolithic period.

Revista, Z., & BIOLOGY, 10. (2025). The Hohlenstein Therianthrope: Ivory, Imagination, and the Paleolithic Mind. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.17741739