Aurignacian

Aurignacian

The Aurignacian is an archaeological culture of the Upper Paleolithic, located in Europe and southwest Asia. It is named after the site of Aurignac in the Haute-Garonne region of France, where the first artifacts were discovered. The Aurignacian culture is characterized by its distinctive stone tools, art, and the emergence of early modern humans in Europe.

Characteristics

The Aurignacian period is generally dated to between 43,000 and 26,000 years ago. It is known for its advanced lithic technology, which includes:

• Blade technology: The production of long, thin blades from prepared cores, which were then used to make a variety of tools.
• Bone and antler tools: The use of bone and antler to create tools such as points, awls, and needles.
• Art and ornamentation: The creation of some of the earliest known examples of prehistoric art, including cave paintings, carvings, and personal ornaments such as beads and pendants.

Sites and Distribution

Aurignacian sites are found throughout Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to Eastern Europe, and into the Levant. Some of the most notable sites include:

• Chauvet Cave in France, known for its remarkable cave paintings.
• Vogelherd Cave in Germany, where ivory figurines have been discovered.
• Hohle Fels in Germany, where the famous Venus figurine was found.

Significance

The Aurignacian culture is significant for several reasons:

• It marks the arrival of anatomically modern humans in Europe, who are believed to have migrated from Africa.
• It represents a period of significant technological and cultural innovation, with the development of new tools and artistic expressions.
• The Aurignacian is often associated with the decline of the Neanderthals, who were the dominant hominin species in Europe prior to the arrival of modern humans.

Also see

• Upper Paleolithic
• Gravettian
• Magdalenian
• Neanderthals
• Cro-Magnon