The Upper Paleolithic, also known as the Late Stone Age, is the third and final subdivision of the Paleolithic period, dating from ca. 40,000 to 10,000 BCE. It is characterized by dramatic advances in human behavior and culture, including the emergence of anatomically modern humans, sophisticated toolmaking, and the development of art.

This period saw the emergence of sculpture, examples being the mammoth-ivory Hohle Fels “Venus” (Germany), the mammoth-ivory Lion-man figurine from Hohlenstein-Stadel (Germany), and the molded clay bison reliefs from Le Tuc d’Audoubert cave (France). The earliest surviving architecture has been identified in the mammoth-bone dwellings at Mezhyrich (Ukraine). The best known artworks from the Upper Paleolithic are undoubtedly cave paintings, outstanding examples of which were discovered at Altamira (Spain), Lascaux (France), and Chauvet-Pont d’Arc (France). Web resources here.

Eliette Brunel, one of the discoverers of the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc Cave, Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France. Brunel is standing next to the Panel of the Horses painting (ca. 32,000–30,000 BCE), shortly after its discovery.