Definition

Noun: * The Upper Paleolithic is the third and final subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. It is a prehistoric period characterized by the dominance of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens), the development of more sophisticated stone tool technologies (like blade tools), and the emergence of symbolic art, music, and personal adornment. This period followed the Middle Paleolithic and ended with the close of the last Ice Age and the transition to the Mesolithic era.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cave paintings at Lascaux are a famous example of art from the Upper Paleolithic.
  • Archaeologists study Upper Paleolithic sites to understand the migration patterns of early modern humans.
  • The development of specialized tools for hunting and sewing is a hallmark of the Upper Paleolithic period.

Advanced Usage

• "Upper Paleolithic Revolution": A term sometimes used to describe the significant cultural and technological advancements that occurred during this period, including the explosion of artistic expression and more complex social structures.
  • The so-called Upper Paleolithic Revolution marks a significant leap in human cognitive and cultural development.

Variants and Related Words

• Paleolithic (adj/noun): Referring to the broader "Old Stone Age," of which the Upper Paleolithic is a part.
• Late Stone Age: A less common, broader term that can be synonymous with the Upper Paleolithic in some contexts, especially in Africa.
• Upper Paleolithic culture: Refers to the totality of the material and social practices of humans during this time.

Synonyms

• Late Paleolithic
• Later Stone Age (context-dependent, primarily used in African archaeology)

Related Terms & Context

• Châtelperronian, Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean, Magdalenian: These are names of specific archaeological cultures or techno-complexes that existed during the Upper Paleolithic period in Europe, each with distinct tool types and artistic styles.
• Mesolithic: The archaeological period that followed the Upper Paleolithic.
• Homo sapiens: The species of modern humans who lived during the Upper Paleolithic.

Noun

1. the time period during which only modern Homo sapiens was known to have existed; ended about 10,000 years BC