In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered that the Ice Age hunters in Europe, known as the Gravettians, were not a homogenous group but instead consisted of multiple cultures. The findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, challenge the longstanding belief that the Gravettians were a single, unified pan-European culture.

The Gravettians, who lived between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago, were renowned for their artistic abilities, producing intricate Venus figurines and captivating cave paintings. Previous assumptions suggested that their art and stone tools demonstrated a shared identity among the Gravettians, leading to the belief in a cohesive pan-European culture.

However, Jack Baker from Bordeaux University and his colleagues conducted a statistical analysis of Gravettian ornaments, particularly beads used for decoration and burial rituals. These ornaments, made from shell, bone, and other materials, were found at 134 Gravettian sites across Europe.

The analysis revealed at least nine distinct geographic clusters where similar ornaments were used, indicating the presence of cultural differences among the Gravettians. The researchers also discovered that cultural affinities did not always correspond with geographic proximity, suggesting that a sense of cultural identity played a central role.

While the availability of materials certainly influenced ornament choice, it was not the sole determining factor. For instance, ornaments made from red deer canines were mostly found in Italy and western Europe, even though red deer were present throughout the continent. Similarly, canines from foxes were commonly used in burial artifacts in eastern Europe but not in the west.

To further support their analysis, the researchers compared the cultural findings with genetic data from a previous study. They found a general overlap between the cultural groups identified through ornament analysis and the genetic diversity of the Gravettians. However, there were instances where genetic similarities did not align with cultural similarities, indicating that multiple factors influenced cultural expression.

The study highlights the complexity of cultural diversity among Ice Age hunters and challenges the notion of a singular pan-European culture. It suggests that the Gravettians, despite facing harsh environmental conditions during the Ice Age, took pride in their appearance and expressed their individual cultural identities through beautifully crafted ornaments.

The Gravettian culture eventually succumbed to the advancing ice sheets and the extreme cold of the Last Glacial Maximum around 20,000 years ago. They were succeeded by different cultures such as the Solutrean in western Europe and the Epigravettian in Italy. This discovery reinforces the understanding that Europe has always been a mosaic of diverse cultures and populations.

The research sheds new light on the Ice Age hunters of Europe, underscoring their cultural complexity and individuality. It serves as a reminder that humans have always embraced diverse cultures, even in the face of challenging circumstances.