Upper Paleolithic Flashcards
when did the Upper Paleolithic occur?
45,000-11,000ya
what was significant about the Upper Paleolithic?
-first occupation of Europe by modern humans
-started hunting and gathering for food
-evidence of long distance trade
-emergence of microliths (smallest unit of tools)
Mezheric, Ukraine was the site of what?
mammoth huts, no more than a few of them were found in one area
what were the tool industries of the UP?
Aurignacian, Gravettian, Soultrean and Magdalenian
when did the Aurignacian culture take place, where and what was significant about it?
-44,000-33,000cal BC
-West and Central Europe
-Dafour blades
what are Dafour blades?
split based projectile points made of antler or ivory (split at the base to be attached to spear handles)
when did the Gravettian culture take place, where and what was significant about it?
-starts at 30,000cal BC
-France & Spain
-atlatls, venus figures and small hunting points
what are atlatls?
a slightly curved piece of bone, ivory or wood with a curved end for the projectile to sit in, acting like an extension for whatever you are throwing. It improved throwing distance, speed and velocity
what is the Mammoth Steppe?
a biome of a combo of plant and animal species conducive to hunter/gatherer expansion in the north
the Mammoth Steppe happened during what cultural period in the UP?
Gravettian
when did the Soultrean culture take place, where and what was significant about it?
-25,000cal BC
-France and Spain
-Laurel leaf points (bifacial points)
how were Laurel leaf points made?
pressure flaking using antler
when did the Magdalenian culture take place, where and what was significant about it
-starts at 20,000cal BC
-LIMITED to France
-bone tools and harpoons
what is an endscraper?
a unifacial tool (flaked on one side) with a scraping bit on one end
what is a burin?
a flint tool with a beveled point
