Sauveterrian

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Stone Age Historical Epoch This box: view • talk • edit
↑ before Homo (Pliocene)
Paleolithic Lower Paleolithic Homo control of fire, stone tools Middle Paleolithic Homo neanderthalensis Homo sapiens out of Africa Upper Paleolithic, Late Stone Age behavioral modernity, atlatl, dog Mesolithic microliths, bow, canoe Neolithic Pre-Pottery Neolithic farming, animal husbandry, polished stone tools Pottery Neolithic pottery Chalcolithic metallurgy, horse, wheel
↓ Bronze Age

The Sauveterrian is the name for an archaeological culture of the European Epipaleolithic which flourished around 7000-8000 years BC. The name is derived from the type site of Sauveterre le Lémance in the French departement of Lot et Garonne.

It extended by large parts of western and central Europe. Characteristic artefacts include geometric microliths and backed points on micro-blades. Wood working tools are notably missing from Sauveterrian assemblages. There is evidence for ritual burial.

It eventually evolved into the Tardenoisian culture of similar characteristics. It's also the source of the first Nordic culture (Maglemosian).

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also

• Synoptic table of the principal old world prehistoric cultures