A rare Stone Age figurine discovered near the Baltic Sea has been confirmed as one of the most significant Neolithic finds in northern Poland. The artifact, carved from limestone and estimated to be over 6,000 years old, was unearthed in December 2022 by a farm worker near the Parsęta River, outside the coastal city of Kołobrzeg.
Nicknamed the “Venus of Kołobrzeg,” the 12-centimeter sculpture resembles other prehistoric female figures found across Europe. Experts believe it served as a fertility symbol in early human societies.
What began as a chance discovery quickly evolved into a large-scale archaeological investigation. Teams from across Poland, including specialists from the Polish Arms Museum and the Relicta Foundation, took part in the analysis.
The verification process lasted nearly three years and included input from local historians and national experts. Aleksander Ostasz, director of the Polish Arms Museum, said that this is “the find of the century.”
Major Archaeological Discovery in Poland!
A 6,000-year-old Neolithic Venus figurine has been officially confirmed near Kołobrzeg in northern Poland!
Dubbed the Venus of Kołobrzeg, this 12 cm limestone artifact is a rare fertility symbol from early farming communities—making… pic.twitter.com/aufuuzIdii
— History Content (@HistContent) June 22, 2025
Researchers believe the figure was created by one of the region’s earliest farming communities, which settled in what is now Western Pomerania. It is the only artifact of its kind ever discovered north of the Carpathian Mountains—an area not previously known for such Neolithic symbols.
The sculpture is made of beige limestone embedded with fragments of mussel and snail shells. Its design is deliberate and stylized. The figure has exaggerated breasts, distorted limbs, and no facial features.
Archaeologists suggest that a hard tool may have been used to carve the legs. The back of the figurine is flat, indicating it may have been attached to a surface or base, possibly for use in ritual practices.
While older “Venus” statues such as the Venus of Willendorf in Austria and the Venus of Hohle Fels in Germany date back more than 25,000 years, the Polish find is younger but carries significant geographic value.
The ‘Venus of Willendorf’, measures just 11.1cm in length. The figurine is estimated to have been made ca. 25,000 years ago and was discovered during an excavation conducted by Josef Szombathy at a paleolithic site near Willendorf, Austria, 1908. Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna. pic.twitter.com/k1DCwGKRe9
— Angela O’Brien (@GrecianGirly) May 11, 2022
After the Neolithic figurine was authenticated in Poland, it was submitted to the National Conservator of Monuments for further study. Its age and cultural importance were confirmed by experts across the country.
The Polish Arms Museum in Kołobrzeg is preparing to make the Venus a centerpiece of its expanded exhibition on the region’s prehistoric history. According to the museum, the figurine is unlike anything previously discovered in Poland. The Venus of Kołobrzeg is expected to go on public display later this year.
