Early humans create paintings at Cave of Altamira in modern-day northern Spain
There are 18 caves in northern Spain which together represent the apogee of Upper Paleolithic cave art in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 years ago.
Europe
Humans invent maps, perhaps in modern day Czech Republic
A map-like representation of a mountain, river, valleys and routes around Pavlov in the Czech Republic has been dated to 25,000 B.C.E.
Humans invent baskets to gather and store valuables, perhaps in modern-day Eastern Europe
People used baskets as backpacks, as baby carriers, as cupboards, as plates and cups, as cradles, as birdcages, as measuring cups and as sandals, and to catch fish.
Humans create the first star chart, perhaps in modern-day Germany
The oldest known star chart may be a carved ivory Mammoth tusk that was discovered in Germany in 1979. This artifact is 32,500 years old and has a carving that resembles the constellation Orion.
Humans in modern-day Europe invent flatbread
Starch grains found on grinding stones suggest that prehistoric man may have consumed a type of bread at least 30,000 years ago in Europe, US researchers said.
Humans, perhaps in Europe, invent rope
Impressions of cordage found on fired clay provide evidence of string and rope-making technology in Europe dating back 28,000 years.
Neanderthals create world’s first string
At 90,000 years old, the material purported to be string predates the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe.
Early humans of Austria create the Venus of Galgenberg
The Venus of Galgenberg is one of the earliest examples of figurative art in Europe. The sculpture was discovered in 1988 close to Stratzing, Austria.
Gravettian hunter-gatherers flourish in modern-day Europe
The Gravettian was an archaeological industry of the European Upper Paleolithic that succeeded the Aurignacian circa 33,000 years BP. It is archaeologically the last European culture many consider unified.
Châtelperronian culture flourishes in France
The Châtelperronian is a claimed industry of the Upper Palaeolithic that produced denticulate stone tools and also a distinctive flint knife with a single cutting edge and a blunt, curved back.