Paleolithic figurines are small sculptures created during the Upper Paleolithic period, roughly between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. These artifacts, often made from materials like stone, bone, or ivory, typically depict human figures, particularly female forms, and are believed to have held cultural or symbolic significance. One of the most famous examples is the Venus of Willendorf, a limestone statuette discovered in Austria. These figurines are thought to represent fertility, beauty, or the human connection to nature, reflecting the values and beliefs of early hunter-gatherer societies.