The Working of Hard Animal Tissues in Eastern and Central Europe During the Last Glacial Maximum—Current Knowledge and Perspectives

• DOI: 10.1007/s41982-024-00198-8
• Publication Date: 2024-12-10T01:58:14Z
• Authors: Sebastian J. Pfeifer
• Keywords: Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract The climatically unfavourable period of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca. 26–19 ka cal bp ) is held responsible for a severe demographic crisis hunter–gatherer populations, their retreat to few refugial areas, disruption wide-ranging networks, and considerable loss cultural complexity in Eastern Central Europe. latitudes above 50°N appear have been completely depopulated. Recent research has demonstrated continuous occupation Carpathian Basin East region during LGM on one hand, an ephemeral human presence Middle Danube, Rhine, Swiss Plateau other. western part European Plain, particular Carpathians, known several large, Early Epigravettian open-air sites with well-preserved artefacts antler, bone, mammoth ivory. For Europe, assemblage from Kammern-Grubgraben Lower Austria pivotal importance. As osseous industries shown be essential component Upper Palaeolithic material culture, it aim this contribution provide overview current state knowledge processing hard animal tissues Europe LGM. Starting out reevaluation largest most diverse assemblages site Cosăuţi Republic Moldova (ca. 23–19 ), contemporary area between Bug River east Rhine west are presented, discussed compared situation Western Based that, can asked what information about development technological traditions dissemination concepts local supraregional perspective.