Art of the Ice Age

You can be sure that there has been art in Swabia for over 35,000 years
Nicholas J. Conard

The 35,000-year-old mammoth figurine was revealed on Wednesday

Archaeologists at the University of Tübingen have recovered the first entirely intact woolly mammoth figurine from the Swabian Jura, a 220-kilometer long plateau in the state of Baden-Württemberg, thought to have been made by the first modern humans some 35,000 years ago. It is believed to be the oldest ivory carving ever found.
The figure of the woolly mammoth is tiny, measuring just 3.7 cm long and weighing a mere 7.5 grams, and displays skilfully detailed carvings. It is unique in its slim form, pointed tail, powerful legs and dynamically arched trunk. It is decorated with six short incisions, and the soles of the pachyderm's feet show a crosshatch pattern. The miniature lion is 5.6 cm long, has a extended torso and outstretched neck. It is decorated with approximately 30 finely incised crosses on its spine.
The preliminary results from the excavation will be presented in a special exhibit at the Museum of Prehistory in Blaubeuren from June 24, 2007 to January 13, 2008. In 2009, the figurines will be displayed in a major state exhibition in Stuttgart entitled "Cultures and Art of the Ice Age."

more here

corrected (fixed the length of the Swabian Jura from meters to kilometers, seems the english version of spiegel is not familiar with european measures and me stupid copy Katz didn´t noticed) thanks Dan

more about the Vogelherd Caves (the place the mammoth was found)