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The following work of fiction is based on real ice-age archaeological finds made at the Hohle Fels cave in Southern Germany.
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As Sarah carefully brushed away the last of the soil holding the object in place, she could see that it was now cleared enough to be lifted out in one piece. She carefully took the about 2-inch piece of carved mammoth ivory between her fingers and lifted it clear. As she held it up to the light a jolt of energy ran through her, which she assumed was the adrenalin kicking-in on realizing that she had made the most important find of her twenty-year archaeological career. She knew straight away what she had found -- an ice-age Venus figurine.
The small figure she held in her hand was a headless female figure, with large breasts under which her short arms rested, with short tapering stumps for legs. Her abdomen, buttocks and genitals were shown in exaggerated detail. Such figures, assumed to be fertility symbols, had been found in other ice-age caves running in a band through the middle of the continent.
She was now aware of her fellow Americans just behind her as they let out a loud cheer. Troy, Amanda and Emily were Sarah's undergraduate students who had joined her on this summer expedition to Southern Germany. "Hey Prof, is that what we think it is?" asked Troy.
"Yes, it looks like we have found another Venus figurine!" exclaimed Sarah in celebration as she held the small dark-brown figure up to the light for all to see.
After carefully placing the figure in the temperature and humidity-controlled storeroom adjacent to the cave, the team retired to the office to write up their find and upload the first photos to their database.
It was 9 in the evening before they finished. "Why don't we head to the biergarten for a celebratory drink" asked Troy. As Amanda and Emily responded with enthusiasm, Sarah replied "But it's already quite late". "Have you forgotten, it's June 21st, the longest day of the year, plenty of outdoor drinking time" replied Troy. Emily became excited, "Oh yes, isn't that great. We made this discovery on Midsummer, one of the most ancient spiritual celebrations". Amanda now chimed in, "Another excuse for beer and schnitzel, as if an excuse is ever needed."
Two hours, one schnitzel and fries, and 3 beers later, all four were still in the biergarten enjoying the midsummer warmth. Their talk centered around the Venus figurine they had just found and the other findings in nearby caves, including stone phalluses and the famous Löwenmensch, the "lion-person" ivory sculpture depicting a male human form, cock and all, with the head of a lion. Their friendly arguments regarding the potential meaning of these artifacts ended with agreement that as no one can travel back in time, their true meaning will remain unknown.
With Troy about to order another round, Sarah got up and started to excuse herself. "Sorry guys, that's enough for me. And I don't feel so great. I have been on some sort of a high since finding our Venus but now it seems to be turning into a headache. I will see you all tomorrow morning. Have a great end to midsummer."
As Sarah got back to her room she was feeling worse. A throbbing headache was kicking in. The last rays of the midsummer sun were illuminating the room as she collapsed onto her bed and everything went black.
As she came around and her vision slowly cleared, she found herself standing outdoors. The last rays of a midsummer sun illuminating the strangest of sights. She was surrounded by a group of dark-skinned people dressed in furs stitched together with thin strips of leather. She had seen such clothing before -- in museum reconstructions of ice age clothing.