of Nerja). Scientists theorise that the paintings may have been made by Neanderthals, rather than by modern humans. Wall painting with horses, rhinoceroses and aurochs is made at Chauvet Cave, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Ardéche gorge, France. Discovered in December 1994. Evidence for continued Neanderthal presence in the Iberian Peninsula at 37,000 years ago was published in 2017. Archaeological studies support human presence in the Chek Lap Kok area (now Hong Kong International Airport) from 35,000 to 39,000 years ago. Zar, Yataghyeri, Damjili and Taghlar caves in Azerbaijan. First evidence of people inhabiting Japan. 35,000 BP Kostenki XVII, a layer of the Kostenki (Kostyonki) site, on the middle Don River, was occupied by the early upper paleolithic Spitsyn culture. 30,000 BP First ground stone tools appear in Japan. End of the Mousterian Pluvial in North Africa. The area of Sydney was occupied by Aboriginal Australians (specifically, the Eora and Dharug people) during this time period, as evidenced by radiocarbon dating. In an archaeological dig in Parramatta, Western Sydney, it was found that the Aboriginals used charcoal, stone tools and possible ancient campfires. First human settlement in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. Kilu Cave at Buka in the Solomons is evidence for the first human settlement of an oceanic island and for navigating the open ocean. 30,000–20,000 BP 29,000–25,000 BP Last eruption of the Ciomadul volcano in Romania. Venus of Dolní Věstonice (Czech Republic). It is the oldest known ceramic in the world. Venus of Willendorf, Austria, created. It is now at the Natural History Museum, Vienna. The Red Lady of Paviland lived around 29,000–26,000 years ago. Recent evidence has come to light that he was a tribal chief. Human settlement in Beijing, China dates from about 27,000 to 10,000 years ago. 24,000 BP Start of the second Mousterian Pluvial in North Africa. 23,000 BP Venus of Petřkovice is created at Petřkovice in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It is now in Archeological Institute, Brno. 22,000 BP Last Glacial Maximum: Venus of Brassempouy, Grotte du Pape, Brassempouy, Landes, France, created. It is now at Musée des Antiquités Nationales, Saint-Germain-en-Laye. 21,000 BP Artifacts suggests early human activity occurred at some point in Canberra, Australia. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the region includes inhabited rock shelters, rock art, burial places, camps and quarry sites, and stone tools and arrangements. End of the second Mousterian Pluvial in North Africa. 20,000–10,000 BP Last Glacial Maximum. Mean sea levels are believed