Lion Man: The First Myth?
The Ancients2 Jul 2023

Lion Man: The First Myth?

Discovered in a German cave, days before the Second World War broke out, the Lion Man statue remained an enigma for decades. A figurine that represents a hybrid creature with the body of a human and the head of a lion, the statue is made from mammoth ivory and is estimated to be over 40,000 years old, making it one of the oldest known examples of figurative art. But who carved this detailed figurine, and more importantly - why?


In this episode, Tristan welcomes back Palaeolithic Archaeologist John Mcnabb to the podcast, to delve into this small statuette's big history. With the Lion Man considered a significant archaeological find, providing insights into the artistic abilities and symbolic thinking of our ancient ancestors, and delving into mythology from millenia ago - what was the Lion Man statue doing in the depths of a German cave, and what was it protecting it's creator from?


Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsely, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code ANCIENTS. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.


You can take part in our listener survey here.


For more Ancient's content, subscribe to our Ancient's newsletter here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(595)

69 AD: Rise of Vespasian

69 AD: Rise of Vespasian

69 AD was a tumultuous year in Roman history. 4 Romans assumed the title of emperor; only one remained standing by the year’s end. His name was Vespasian, veteran of Claudius’ invasion of Britain and ...

15 Okt 202051min

Crassus and the Battle of Carrhae: The Defeat of Rome

Crassus and the Battle of Carrhae: The Defeat of Rome

Gareth Sampson, author of Defeat of Rome in the East: Crassus, the Parthians, and the Disastrous Battle of Carrhae, 53 BC came on the podcast to provide an in depth account of Marcus Crassus’ disastro...

11 Okt 202057min

Septimius Severus in Scotland

Septimius Severus in Scotland

Dan Snow talks to Simon Elliott about Septimius Severus, the first Hammer of the Scots, about his Northern Campaigns, and the true story of this savage 3rd century invasion of Scotland. Hosted on Ac...

8 Okt 202027min

Nero the Antichrist?

Nero the Antichrist?

The Emperor Nero is one of antiquity's most infamous figures, having a particularly hostile relationship with the Christians. But did the early Christians associate Nero with the Antichrist mentioned ...

4 Okt 202055min

Agrippa: Rome's Forgotten Hero

Agrippa: Rome's Forgotten Hero

There are few men in Roman history that can claim to have been as influential as Marcus Agrippa. The right-hand man of Octavian / Augustus, his career is dotted with powerful positions. And yet, what ...

1 Okt 202043min

The Polynesians: Ancient Mariners of the Pacific

The Polynesians: Ancient Mariners of the Pacific

The ancient Polynesians remain the greatest seafarers in history. Already by the time of the legendary founding of Rome on 21 April 753 BC, Polynesian voyagers had crossed huge parts of the Pacific Oc...

27 Sep 202033min

The Battle of Salamis

The Battle of Salamis

We've had the Battle of Thermopylae with the brilliant Paul Cartledge; we've had the Battle of Artemisium with the great Owen Rees. And I'm delighted to say that we are today fulfilling the 2,499 Pers...

24 Sep 202037min

The Rise of Constantine

The Rise of Constantine

The Emperor Constantine I, better known as Constantine the Great, is one of the most significant emperors in Roman history. His later Christian biographers lauded him as an icon, the man who set in mo...

20 Sep 202049min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-historiske-romanser
henrettelsespodden
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
rss-benadet
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-frontkjemperne
sektledere
sannhet-eller-konspirasjon
rss-gamle-greier
historiepodden-ww2
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
historiepodden
undersattene
rss-historiepodden-ww2
vare-historier
med-egne-oyne
taakeprat