Archaeologists have discovered a 25,000-year-old Paleolithic engraving of a woman deep within Cussac Cave in the Dordogne region of southwestern France.

Known as a 'Venus' figure, the engraving is part of an extensive collection of prehistoric art and human remains first uncovered in September 2000 by amateur explorer Marc Delluc.

The cave, which stretches roughly one mile, contains over 150 engravings of animals, including woolly mammoths, bison, rhinoceroses, and horses, along with several stylized depictions of women.

Dating to the Gravettian era of the Upper Paleolithic, these artworks reflect a period characterized by a distinct stone tool culture and the production of fertility symbols.

Uniquely, Cussac Cave combines both human burials—at least six individuals—and artistic works, suggesting the site served dual purposes as a ceremonial space and an art gallery.

The depiction of the woman emphasizes voluptuous features, widely interpreted by scholars as a symbol of fertility and prosperity among ancient hunter-gatherer communities.The style of the engraving aligns with other contemporary Paleolithic sites, such as Pech-Merle.

Due to the density and quality of its engravings, Cussac Cave is considered as significant for engraving as Lascaux is for painting, offering valuable insight into prehistoric life, culture, and artistic expression.