The Swimming Reindeer

Discovered in 1866 as two separate pieces and acquired by the British Museum in 1887; the sculpture known as the 'swimming reindeer' depicts a male and a female reindeer with their heads up and legs extended; and was created at least 13; 000 years ago. The sculpture is 22 cm long and was carved from mammoth ivory using stone tools; and then polished and engraved to add detail. The naturalism of the representation is remarkable; conveying movement and displaying a hunter's knowledge of anato...