Table of Contents
St. Petersburg and The Hermitage
St. Petersburg, the former imperial capital of Russia, is home to the Hermitage Museum, one of the most significant museums globally. While it houses renowned works of art, the museum also contains objects that are not on public display but hold considerable historical significance.
Ice Age Objects in the Storerooms
In the museum’s storerooms are items that may reveal details about Siberian families who lived during the Ice Age. These artifacts, dating back to the height of the last Ice Age, were discovered in a limited number of locations in southern Siberia.
The distribution of these artifacts suggests that as the climate deteriorated, prehistoric populations retreated into relatively survivable refuges in southern Siberia, away from the inhospitable northern regions. One such refuge is Mal’ta.
Tiny Blades and Resource Utilization
Among the discoveries at Mal’ta are unusually small stone blades. Archaeologists attribute their size to the scarcity of accessible stone quarries due to the extreme cold. As stone became a valuable resource, prehistoric people maximized its use by producing smaller blades to conserve material.
Art and Symbolism
Despite the challenging conditions, art flourished during this period. Items such as a carved pair of swans may have held symbolic significance. Archaeologists speculate that these could have served as hunting charms, associated with the arrival of the first swans and the start of the spring hunting season.
Unique Artifacts
Mammoth Ivory Plate
A plate made from mammoth ivory, unique to this collection, is thought to represent a map. Some researchers propose it illustrates the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, symbolized by a central hole.
Bone Figurines
Bone figurines in the collection depict individuals wearing fur clothing, evidence that these communities had developed sewing techniques to create protective garments.
Female Statues
Delicate statues of women, some pierced for use as pendants, may have functioned as amulets or fertility symbols. These artifacts highlight the significance of childbirth and survival in harsh Ice Age environments.
Interpretations of the Collection
Archaeologists consider this collection a testament to the resilience and creativity of prehistoric Siberian communities. The artifacts may reflect a spiritual response to the hardships of the Ice Age, a plea to the spirits during a period of profound struggle.
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