# Prehistoric communities - No single ruler

URL: https://history-france.com/rulers/prehistoric-communities
Reign: c. 1,600,000 BCE–c. 600 BCE
Dynasty: Prehistoric & Tribal
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Prehistoric+communities&go=Go

France was inhabited by successive prehistoric communities; there was no unified political ruler.

## Succession
- Succeeded by: [Gaulish tribal polities](https://history-france.com/rulers/gaulish-tribal-polities)

## Timeline events during this reign
- -1600000 - [Earliest known human presence in France](https://history-france.com/timeline/-1600000-earliest-known-human-presence-in-france)
- -950000 - [Vallonnet Cave occupation](https://history-france.com/timeline/-950000-vallonnet-cave-occupation)
- -600000 - [Acheulean handaxe traditions spread](https://history-france.com/timeline/-600000-acheulean-handaxe-traditions-spread)
- -450000 - [Terra Amata occupation](https://history-france.com/timeline/-450000-terra-amata-occupation)
- -400000 - [Tautavel Man remains](https://history-france.com/timeline/-400000-tautavel-man-remains)
- -250000 - [Neanderthals established across France](https://history-france.com/timeline/-250000-neanderthals-established-across-france)
- -176000 - [Bruniquel Cave structures](https://history-france.com/timeline/-176000-bruniquel-cave-structures)
- -120000 - [Mousterian culture flourishes](https://history-france.com/timeline/-120000-mousterian-culture-flourishes)
- -60000 - [La Ferrassie Neanderthal burials](https://history-france.com/timeline/-60000-la-ferrassie-neanderthal-burials)
- -45000 - [Arrival of Homo sapiens](https://history-france.com/timeline/-45000-arrival-of-homo-sapiens)
- -42000 - [Châtelperronian transition](https://history-france.com/timeline/-42000-chatelperronian-transition)
- -40000 - [Aurignacian culture expands](https://history-france.com/timeline/-40000-aurignacian-culture-expands)
- -36000 - [Chauvet Cave art](https://history-france.com/timeline/-36000-chauvet-cave-art)
- -30000 - [Gravettian culture](https://history-france.com/timeline/-30000-gravettian-culture)
- -27000 - [Dolní Věstonice-style Venus traditions reach western Europe](https://history-france.com/timeline/-27000-dolni-vestonice-style-venus-traditions-reach-western-europe)
- -24000 - [Solutrean culture develops](https://history-france.com/timeline/-24000-solutrean-culture-develops)
- -19000 - [Magdalenian culture expands](https://history-france.com/timeline/-19000-magdalenian-culture-expands)
- -17000 - [Lascaux cave paintings](https://history-france.com/timeline/-17000-lascaux-cave-paintings)
- -14500 - [Late Glacial warming transforms landscapes](https://history-france.com/timeline/-14500-late-glacial-warming-transforms-landscapes)
- -10000 - [Mesolithic lifeways emerge](https://history-france.com/timeline/-10000-mesolithic-lifeways-emerge)
- -7000 - [First farming communities arrive](https://history-france.com/timeline/-7000-first-farming-communities-arrive)
- -5800 - [Cardial culture spreads along Mediterranean France](https://history-france.com/timeline/-5800-cardial-culture-spreads-along-mediterranean-france)
- -5200 - [Linear Pottery farming reaches northeastern France](https://history-france.com/timeline/-5200-linear-pottery-farming-reaches-northeastern-france)
- -4500 - [Megalithic monuments proliferate](https://history-france.com/timeline/-4500-megalithic-monuments-proliferate)
- -4000 - [Carnac alignments built](https://history-france.com/timeline/-4000-carnac-alignments-built)
- -3500 - [Passy-type monumental cemeteries](https://history-france.com/timeline/-3500-passy-type-monumental-cemeteries)
- -2800 - [Bell Beaker culture appears](https://history-france.com/timeline/-2800-bell-beaker-culture-appears)
- -2300 - [Bronze metallurgy expands](https://history-france.com/timeline/-2300-bronze-metallurgy-expands)
- -1800 - [Early Bronze Age elite burials](https://history-france.com/timeline/-1800-early-bronze-age-elite-burials)
- -1300 - [Urnfield cultural influences](https://history-france.com/timeline/-1300-urnfield-cultural-influences)
- -900 - [Ironworking becomes established](https://history-france.com/timeline/-900-ironworking-becomes-established)
- -800 - [Hallstatt cultural horizon](https://history-france.com/timeline/-800-hallstatt-cultural-horizon)
- -600 - [Greek colony of Massalia founded](https://history-france.com/timeline/-600-greek-colony-of-massalia-founded)