Reconstructions of Paleolithic Europeans are few and far between. Almost no modern reconstructions have been produced, so I had to rely on older facial reconstructions, mostly the works of M. M. Gerasimov. So far, I’ve found reconstructions of individuals belonging to the Aurignacian, Gravettian, and Magdalenian cultures and will add any new discoveries to this article whenever I find them.

Genetic evidence indicates that the populations of Europe belonged to a broader “West Eurasian” genetic cluster before the Last Glacial Maximum (~30,000 to ~15,000 BC). West Eurasians diverged into more genetically distinct groups due to founder effects and environmental adaptation during the Last Glacial Maximum, which spanned the Gravettian and late Aurignacian periods.

Aurignacian (41,000 – 26,000 BC)

Cro-Magnon 1 (France 26,000 BC)

Gravettian (31,000 – 17,000 BC)

Sungir 1 (Russia 30,000 BC)

Sungir 2 (Russia 30,000 BC)
Note: Has a jaw abnormality resulting in prognathism that was uncharacteristic of Paleolithi Europeans.

Sungir 3 (Russia 30,000 BC)

Oberkassel (25,000 BC)

Dolní Věstonice 3 (Czechia 25,000 BC)
Note: Skin pigmentation is incorrect, was likely more similar to modern inuits as “white skin” alleles SLC24A5 and SLC45A2 were not present in Europe at this time.

Venus of Brassempouy (France 25,000 BC)

Young Prince of Arene Candide (Italy 25,000 BC)

Dolní Věstonice ivory self-portrait (Czechia 24,000 BC)

Artistic interpretations of Gravettian clothing:

Magdalenian (15,000 – 10,000 BC)

Magdalenian Girl (France 13,000 BC)
Note: Again, pigmentation is incorrect, probably similar to modern Inuits.

Oberkassel (12,000 BC)