Gravettian
Overview
The Gravettian culture is a significant Upper Paleolithic archaeological culture that existed approximately between 33,000 and 21,000 years ago. It is named after the site of La Gravette in France, where the first artifacts were discovered. This culture is notable for its advancements in tool technology, art, and subsistence strategies. The Gravettian people were widespread across Europe, from France to Russia, and their influence is evident in various archaeological sites.
Archaeological Sites
Gravettian sites are found across a broad geographical expanse, including France, Spain, Italy, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe. Some of the most notable sites include:
- **La Gravette**: The type site located in southwestern France, which provided the first evidence of this culture.
- **Dolní Věstonice**: Located in the Czech Republic, this site is famous for its Venus figurines and evidence of early ceramic technology.
- **Pavlov**: Another significant site in the Czech Republic, known for its rich deposits of artifacts and human remains.
- **Kostenki**: Located in Russia, this site has yielded numerous tools, ornaments, and remains that provide insight into the Gravettian way of life.
Tool Technology
The Gravettian culture is distinguished by its advanced lithic technology. The hallmark of Gravettian toolkits is the presence of small, pointed blades known as Gravette points. These tools were likely used as projectile points and for cutting purposes. Other notable tools include:
- **Burins**: Used for engraving and carving.
- **Scrapers**: Employed in hide processing.
- **Awls**: Utilized for piercing materials like leather.
The Gravettian people also developed techniques for working bone, antler, and ivory, creating tools such as needles, awls, and spear points.
Art and Symbolism
Gravettian art is renowned for its sophistication and diversity. The most famous examples are the Venus figurines, small statuettes of women with exaggerated sexual features. These figurines are believed to have had symbolic or ritualistic significance. Other forms of art include:
- **Engravings**: Found on bones, stones, and cave walls, depicting animals, human figures, and abstract patterns.
- **Ornaments**: Made from shells, teeth, and ivory, often used as personal adornments.
Subsistence Strategies
The Gravettian people were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on a diverse range of food sources. Their subsistence strategies included:
- **Big-game hunting**: They hunted large animals such as mammoths, bison, and reindeer, using sophisticated hunting techniques and tools.
- **Fishing and gathering**: Evidence suggests that they also exploited aquatic resources and gathered plant materials.
The Gravettian people likely lived in semi-permanent settlements, as indicated by the remains of dwellings found at several sites. These dwellings were often constructed using mammoth bones and covered with animal hides.
Social Organization
The social structure of the Gravettian culture is not well understood, but archaeological evidence suggests a complex society with distinct social roles. Burials provide some insight into their social organization:
- **Grave goods**: The presence of grave goods, such as tools, ornaments, and figurines, indicates a belief in an afterlife and the importance of certain individuals within the community.
- **Burial practices**: Some burials show evidence of elaborate rituals, suggesting a stratified society with social hierarchies.
Climate and Environment
The Gravettian period coincided with the Last Glacial Maximum, a time of significant climatic change. The environment was characterized by:
- **Cold and arid conditions**: The landscape was dominated by steppe and tundra, with limited forest cover.
- **Faunal adaptations**: The fauna of the time included cold-adapted species such as mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, and reindeer.
These environmental conditions influenced the subsistence strategies and settlement patterns of the Gravettian people.
Technological Innovations
The Gravettian culture is notable for several technological innovations:
- **Projectile technology**: The development of the atlatl (spear-thrower) allowed for more effective hunting of large game.
- **Ceramic technology**: Evidence from sites like Dolní Věstonice suggests that the Gravettian people were among the first to experiment with ceramic materials, creating figurines and possibly utilitarian objects.