In a stunning archaeological revelation, specialists in Poland have confirmed that a small limestone figurine discovered by a farmer near the Baltic coastal city of Kołobrzeg dates back approximately 6,000 years.

The figurine, standing about 12 cm high, earned the name “Venus of Kołobrzeg” due to its resemblance to other prehistoric “Venus” statuettes found across Europe, known for accentuated female features like enlarged breasts. These statuettes are commonly interpreted as representations of a fertility deity or used in rituals celebrating fertility and community wellbeing.

Originally unearthed in December 2022 by chance in a field near the Parsęta River by local amateur historian groups, the artifact underwent extensive verification. It was examined by the Polish national conservator of monuments and researchers from the Relicta Foundation, all confirming its Neolithic origins.

Aleksander Ostasz, director of the Polish Arms Museum in Kołobrzeg—where the figurine is set to be exhibited—described it as “the find of the century,” praising its significance for expanding the known prehistoric record of the region.

According to archaeologists, the piece was likely crafted by the first farming communities to settle in Western Pomerania. The limestone material even contains fragments of shells, and subtle abrasion marks on the breasts and hips indicate regular handling—perhaps as part of spiritual or ceremonial use. The statue’s flat backside suggests it may have been meant to stand upright or be fixed to a base.

Notably, this is the first figurine of its kind discovered in this part of Poland—no comparable findings have been made north of the Carpathian Mountains. While much older Venus figurines exist (e.g., the Venus of Hohle Fels, ~40,000 years old; and the Venus of Willendorf, ~30,000 years old), those date from the Upper Paleolithic. This new find, though younger, is significant for Neolithic Europe.

The Polish Arms Museum is currently revising its permanent exhibition on the history of Kołobrzeg to incorporate prehistoric artifacts, with the “Venus of Kołobrzeg” soon to be featured as one of its oldest and most remarkable items.