Azilian

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Geographical range | Western Europe |
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Period | Epipaleolithic |
Dates | circa 12,000 years ago (uncalibrated) |
Type site | Le Mas-d'Azil |
Major sites | Birsmatten-Eremitage |
Preceded by | Magdalenian |
Followed by | Maglemosian culture, Sauveterrian |
The Mesolithic The Epipaleolithic |
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↑ Paleolithic |
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↓ Neolithic ↓ Stone Age |
The Azilian is a name given by archaeologists to an industry of the Epipaleolithic in northern Spain and southern France.
It probably dates to the period of the Allerød Oscillation around 12,000 years ago (uncalibrated) and followed the Magdalenian culture. Archaeologists think the Azilian represents the tail end of the Magdalenian as the warming climate brought about changes in human behaviour in the area. The effects of melting ice sheets would have diminished the food supply and probably impoverished the previously well-fed Magdalenian manufacturers. As a result, Azilian tools and art were cruder and less expansive than their Ice Age predecessors - or simply different.