Oldest porn in history? Earliest ever limestone carvings dating back 37,000 years believed to depict female private parts

Anthropologists working in the south of France believe they have discovered the oldest example of cave art on a 1.5 metric ton block limestone.

The carvings date back to 37,000 years ago in the areas of Abri Castanet and Abri Blanchard - both sites where some of the earliest examples of mankind living in the European continent have been discovered.

Those of a weak disposition look away now, as one painting, showing a circle with an attachment, is believed to depict a lady's sexual organs.

The research, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows the artwork to be approximately 37,000 years old, and offers rich evidence of the role art played in the daily lives of Early Aurignacian humans - people who spread across Europe between 37,000 to 28,000 years.

The research team, comprised of more than a dozen scientists from American and European universities and research institutions, has been excavating at the site of the discovery - Abri Castanet - for the past 15 years.

Hundreds of personal ornaments have been discovered, including pierced animal teeth, pierced shells, ivory and soapstone beads, engravings, and paintings on limestone slabs.

Aurignacian culture existed until approximately 28,000 years ago.

In 2007, the team discovered an engraved block of limestone in what had been a rock shelter occupied by a group of Aurignacian reindeer hunters.

Subsequent geological analysis revealed the ceiling had been about two meters above the floor on which the Aurignacians lived - within arms' reach.

Using carbon dating, the researchers determined that both the engraved ceiling, which includes depictions of animals and geometric forms, and the other artifacts found on the living surface below were approximately 37,000 years old.