Ancient art refers to art from advanced ancient societies with writing systems, including ancient China, India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Israel, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Prehistoric art was produced before the development of writing or record keeping in preliterate cultures, beginning in the late geological era and often continuing until contact with other cultures. Some of the earliest known artworks include the Venus of Hohle Fels figurine from 35,000-40,000 years ago, the Venus of Dolní Věstonice ceramic figurine from 29,000-25,000 BCE, and the Lion Man of Hohlenstein Stadel ivory sculpture from around 40,000 years ago.