Key Issue: Who are The Magdalenian people ?
The Magdalenian(Gam(e) he gives lean ni) people were a prehistoric culture that existed during the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 17,000 to 12,000 years ago. They were named after the La Madeleine rock shelter site in France, where their distinctive tools were first discovered. The Magdalenian culture was widespread across Europe, with a focus on the regions now known as France, Spain, and Portugal.
Origin
The Magdalenian culture is believed to have emerged from the earlier Solutrean culture, which existed in the same regions of Europe. The transition from the Solutrean to the Magdalenian culture is marked by a change in tool technology and artistic expression. The Magdalenian people were known for their advanced stone tool production, including the creation of intricate blades, burins, and harpoons.
Creation Story and Religion
Due to the prehistoric nature of the Magdalenian culture and the absence of written records, little is known about their specific creation stories or religious beliefs. However, the presence of intricate cave art and portable art objects suggests that the Magdalenian people had a rich symbolic and spiritual life. The cave paintings often depict animals, such as bison, horses, and deer, which may have held religious or mythological significance.
One of the earliest known examples of Magdalenian cave art is the Lascaux Cave in France, which dates back to approximately 17,000 years ago. The paintings in the Lascaux Cave include depictions of animals and abstract symbols, which may have been used in religious or shamanic rituals.
Three Earliest Known SitesLascaux Cave (France): A complex of caves famous for its extensive Paleolithic cave paintings, dating back to approximately 17,000 years ago.
Coordinates: 45°03'17"N, 1°10'44"E
Altamira Cave (Spain): Known for its exceptionally well-preserved cave paintings, particularly the detailed depictions of bison. The oldest paintings date back to around 36,000 years ago, with the majority attributed to the Magdalenian period.
Coordinates: 43°22'58"N, 4°07'13"W
Gönnersdorf (Germany): An open-air site featuring a concentration of Magdalenian artifacts, including engraved slate plaquettes and figurines, dating back to approximately 15,000 years ago.
Coordinates: 50°24'00"N, 7°25'00"E
Trading Partners
The Magdalenian people were hunter-gatherers who relied on the resources available in their local environment. While there is evidence of long-distance trade networks during the Upper Paleolithic period, the extent of Magdalenian trade is not well-documented. Some researchers suggest that the presence of exotic materials, such as seashells and amber, at Magdalenian sites indicates the existence of trade or exchange networks with other contemporary cultures.
Sea Level
During the Magdalenian period, sea levels were significantly lower than they are today, as a result of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The LGM occurred around 26,500 years ago, when ice sheets reached their maximum extent, and global sea levels were approximately 125 meters (410 feet) lower than present-day levels. As the climate began to warm and the ice sheets melted, sea levels gradually rose throughout the Magdalenian period and into the subsequent Holocene epoch.
Bottom Line
The Magdalenian people were a significant Upper Paleolithic culture known for their advanced stone tool technology and remarkable artistic expressions. While much about their specific beliefs and practices remains unknown, the Magdalenian culture left an indelible mark on the archaeological record of Europe, providing valuable insights into the lives of prehistoric hunter-gatherers during a crucial period of human history.
