Gravettian

The Gravettian is an archaeological culture of the European Upper Paleolithic that succeeded the Aurignacian culture and preceded the Solutrean culture. It is named after the site of La Gravette in the Dordogne region of France, where characteristic tools were first identified. The Gravettian culture is known for its distinctive stone tool technology, art, and burial practices.

Chronology and Geography

The Gravettian period is generally dated to between 33,000 and 21,000 years ago. It is primarily found in Europe, with sites ranging from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Russian Plain in the east. The culture is divided into several regional variants, including the Western Gravettian, Eastern Gravettian, and the Pavlovian culture in Central Europe.

Technology

Gravettian tool technology is characterized by small pointed blades known as "Gravette points," which were likely used as projectile points or cutting tools. The culture also produced burins, scrapers, and other tools made from flint and other stones. The Gravettian people are known for their use of the "backed blade" technique, where blades were retouched to create a sharp edge on one side.

Art and Symbolism

The Gravettian culture is renowned for its art, particularly its "Venus figurines," which are small statuettes of women with exaggerated features. These figurines have been found across Europe and are thought to have had symbolic or ritual significance. Other forms of art include engraved stones, bone carvings, and cave paintings.

Burial Practices

Gravettian burial practices are notable for their complexity and the inclusion of grave goods. Some burials include multiple individuals, and grave goods often consist of tools, ornaments, and ochre. The presence of elaborate burials suggests a belief in an afterlife or a complex social structure.

Subsistence

The Gravettian people were hunter-gatherers who relied on a variety of animals for food, including mammoths, reindeer, and horses. They also gathered plant resources and may have used traps and snares to capture smaller animals.

Climate and Environment

The Gravettian period coincided with the Last Glacial Maximum, a time of colder and drier climate conditions. This environment influenced the distribution of human populations and the types of resources available to them.

Also see

• Aurignacian
• Solutrean
• Venus figurines
• Upper Paleolithic
• Pavlovian culture