The Guardian

Bird figurine is earliest Chinese artwork ever discovered, say experts

‘Refined’ 2cm carving found in Henan dates to palaeolithic period up to 13,000 years ago
The bird statuette, photographed here from different angles, is made from burnt bone. The style suggests it is an original artistic tradition, separate from analogous western or Siberian art Photograph: Supplied

A tiny figurine of a bird, carved from burnt bone and no bigger than a £1 coin, is the earliest Chinese artwork ever discovered, according to an international team of archaeologists

, less than 2cm in length, has been dated to the palaeolithic period, between 13,800 and 13,000 years ago, which

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