Senpalæolitiske

Senpalæolitiske is a Danish archaeological term that denotes the late phase of the Paleolithic era. It refers to the final part of the Ice Age hunter-gatherer cultures in Europe and surrounding regions, roughly spanning from about 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, though exact dates vary by region and site.

In the Danish literature, senpalæolitiske contexts commonly relate to the later Upper Paleolithic developments, characterized by increasingly sophisticated lithic technologies, including blade-based industries and the continued use of bone, antler, and ivory for tools and ornaments. Art and symbolism emerged more prominently during this period, with portable art and engravings documented at various sites; however, the extent of art varies regionally.

Subsistence remained based on hunting and gathering, with regional differences in target fauna; climate change at the period's end altered landscapes and resource use. The senpalæolitiske is often distinguished from earlier Paleolithic phases (Lower and Middle) and from the Mesolithic that follows after the Pleistocene. Dating is variable, making regional chronologies important. The term underscores both technological innovation and adaptations to post-glacial environments in late Paleolithic Europe.