Modern instrumental analysis developed in materials science was applied to the Paleolithic industries of ceramic production and pigment usage at the sites of Lascaux, ca. 14.500 B.P., Dolni Vestonice, ca. 26.000 B.P., Arcysur-Cure, ca. 34.000-32.000 and Pech de l'Aze, ca. 40.000-60.000 B.P. By examination, analysis and experimentation, this study aimed to understand ancient criteria for the selection of raw materials, the properties of those materials which made them particularly suitable, and the technologies of preparation, production and use. Differences in the nature and style of the technologies practiced, or technocomplexes, indicates considerable variability in cultural patterning of activities and in ancient conceptions of the processing of materials.