The Gravettian toolmaking culture was a specific archaeological industry of the European Upper Palaeolithic era prevalent before the last glacial epoch.
It is named after the type site of La Gravette in the Dordogne region of France where its characteristic tools were first found and studied.
It dates from between 28,000 and 22,000 years ago and where found, succeeded the artifacts datable to the Aurignacian culture.The diagnostic characteristic artifacts of the industry are small pointed restruck blade with a blunt but straight back, a carving tool known as a Noailles burin.
Artistic achievements of the Gravettian cultural stage include the hundreds of Venus figurines, which are widely distributed in Europe.
The industry had counterparts across central Europe and into Russia, as did the predecessor culture, which is also linked to similar figurines and carvings.
