Azilian

The Azilian (ca. 12300-9600 BC ) refers to an important culture of the European Upper Paleolithic and the southern Epipaläolithikums. The Azilian begins in the Late Glacial and ends with the beginning of the Holocene.

The term was coined by Édouard Piette 1889 after excavations in the cave of Mas d' Azil (Canton Le Mas- d'Azil, department department the Ariège, France). In German-speaking countries the Azilian is today usually referred to by the synonym " penknife groups ".

Key forms the back knife (also back tip, or pen knife called ), as well as short scratches, stylus and harpoon of deer antler. In parallel, the Swiderien runs to the east.