The Venus of Brassempouy, dating back to approximately 23,000 BC, is one of the earliest known realistic depictions of a human hairstyle. Carved from mammoth ivory, the surviving figure consists of a head and neck, measuring roughly 3.5 cm in height, 2.2 cm in depth, and 1.9 cm in width. Unlike other prehistoric Venus figurines, this sculpture features distinct facial details, including a forehead, brows, eyes, and nose, though notably lacking a mouth. The top and sides of the head are incised with a pattern interpreted as either braided hair or an Egyptian-style headdress, offering a rare glimpse into early artistic representations of personal adornment.
