The Origins of Sculpture

Palaeolithic yet intriguing. This is the theme of The Origins of Sculpture: Archaeological Finds from the Old World and Lesbos 2.5 million to 50,000 years Before Present, the latest exhibition by the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. The notion that the history of art predates Homo Sapiens, and that prehistoric humans created artefacts for aesthetic purposes seeking symmetry and beauty, is nothing short of astounding. “Exhibitions such as this seem to present us with a totally new global heritage of art,” highlights the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in her speech on the opening day.  

Stone tools and "figure stones" portraying birds, faces, and bodies from locations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, which are on display for the first time in Greece at the Benaki Museum. As if that wasn't enough, there are also 3D-printed casts which visitors may touch. The exhibition is co-organised by the University of Crete, the Benaki Museum, and the Region of Crete and for the first time showcases tools from the important Palaeolithic site of Rodafnidia in Lesbos, brought to light by the University of Crete archaeological excavations.