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The Transition from Azilian to Iberian Capsian Culture (6700 BCE)
Content:
Around 6700 BCE, a significant cultural shift occurred in parts of southwestern Europe as the Azilian culture, a late Mesolithic hunter-gatherer society, was gradually supplanted by the Iberian Capsian culture. This transition reflects broader changes in subsistence strategies, tool technologies, and artistic expressions in the region.
The Azilian culture (c. 10,000-6,000 BCE) emerged after the last Ice Age, succeeding the Magdalenian culture. It was characterized by:
- Small, geometric microlithic tools.
- Painted pebbles with abstract designs.
- A reliance on forest and riverine resources (deer, fish, wild boar).
However, as climate conditions stabilized into the Holocene, new cultural influences arrived from North Africa and the Mediterranean.
The Capsian culture, originating in North Africa, spread into the Iberian Peninsula, bringing distinct changes:
- Advanced microlithic tools: More refined bladelets and backed points.
- Shellfish exploitation: Increased use of coastal resources.
- Burial customs: Possible early ritualistic practices, including ochre use.
Several factors may have contributed:
1. Climate and Ecology: Warmer conditions allowed new subsistence strategies.
2. Migration and Diffusion: Capsian groups may have crossed into Iberia, blending with or replacing Azilian communities.
3. Technological Superiority: Capsian tools were more adaptable to changing environments.
Sites in eastern Spain and southern France show overlapping Azilian and Capsian artifacts, suggesting a gradual shift rather than abrupt replacement. Some scholars argue for cultural fusion rather than complete displacement.
This transition marked the beginning of a more diversified Mesolithic Iberia, setting the stage for later Neolithic developments.
Limitations of Knowledge:
- Exact migration routes and interactions remain debated.
- Few well-preserved Capsian sites in Iberia compared to North Africa.
Would you like elaboration on any specific aspect of this transition?