---
title: Oldest Mural in Europe
author: Jan van der Crabben
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17744/oldest-mural-in-europe/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-08-16
---

# Oldest Mural in Europe

_Authored by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/)_

## Image File

[![Oldest Mural in Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17744.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17744.jpg)

## Image Caption

This photo shows a reconstruction of the "Cult [Wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/)" of Ludwigshafen, the oldest mural in [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/). The original painting was created around 3860 BCE, depicting hunting trophies of aurochs and bison, fine textiles, as well as a human torso with female breasts. It was most likely located in a pile-dwelling [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of the Pfyner [Culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) on Lake Constance. The temple caught fire and the heat hard-baked and preserved the plastered wall which then broke apart into many pieces, allowing archaeologists to piece it back together thousands of years later.

Archaeologists believe that the temple was a site of worship of either female ancestors or a kind of mythological mother deity. It is unclear whether the painting was related to some sort of ritual. Temples have been found in several pile-dwellings in southern Germany and Switzerland, but this wall painting is unique.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Jan is the Founder & Chairman of World History Encyclopedia and is the organisation's Director of Design & Technology. He holds an MA War Studies from King's College, and he has worked in the field of history-related digital media since 2006.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janvdc)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Crabben, J. v. d. (2023, August 16). Oldest Mural in Europe. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17744/oldest-mural-in-europe/>
### Chicago
Crabben, Jan van der. "Oldest Mural in Europe." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 16, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17744/oldest-mural-in-europe/>.
### MLA
Crabben, Jan van der. "Oldest Mural in Europe." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Aug 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17744/oldest-mural-in-europe/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 16 August 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.