Gravett

Gravettian culture is a term used in archaeology to describe a specific period of the Upper Paleolithic, characterized by the distinctive Gravettian industry of stone tools. This industry is named after the site of Gravett in the Dordogne region of France, where the first such tools were discovered. The Gravettian period is generally dated to around 28,000 to 24,000 years ago, although the exact dates can vary depending on the region.

The Gravettian industry is known for its distinctive fluted points, which are long, thin, and often have a series of parallel grooves or flutes along their length. These points are typically made from flint or other types of stone and are used for making composite tools, such as harpoons and spears. The Gravettian industry is also characterized by the use of backed blades, which are thin, curved blades with a flat back, and burins, which are small, pointed tools used for shaping and finishing other tools.

Gravettian culture is associated with the spread of modern humans, Homo sapiens, across Europe and Asia. The distinctive tools of the Gravettian industry are thought to have been used for hunting and fishing, and the culture is believed to have been nomadic, following the herds of large mammals such as reindeer and bison.

The Gravettian period is followed by the Solutrean period, which is characterized by the distinctive Solutrean industry of stone tools. The transition between the two periods is not well understood, but it is thought to have been a gradual process, with the two cultures coexisting for a period of time.