Paleolithic AgeI. Facts • People have been on earth for about 3.2million years

according to most archaeologists • Prehistory – is the period from when people first

appeared to when writing developed about 5,000 years ago.

• History – is the period after writing was developed. This was the beginning of civilization, or when people began to advance culturally and to live in cities.

• About 900,000 to 700,000 years ago people began to migrate from Africa to Europe and Southwest Asia via land bridges. These land bridges were uncovered when glaciers caused the sea levels to drop.

• About 40,000 to 15,000 years ago people began to migrate to the Americas.

• Paleolithic Age = Stone Age: 3.2 Million years ago to 100,000 years ago. People obtained their food by hunting and gathering

II. Obtaining Food • Paleolithic people lived in bands of 30 about

members. • People lived to be 20-25 years old.• More than ½ children were killed before age

1• Home territory – place where each band

searched for food (2sq. miles per person in the band). Once food was used up the band moved.

• Women & Children – gathered berries, nuts, fruit, eggs and honey

• Men- obtained meat & fish. They used their hands, sticks, and stones.

III. Making Tools • Olduvan pebble tools – Sharply

shaped pebbles used to cut meat off animals’ bones.

• Flakes – sharply shaped stones used as tools

IV. Making Fire • Fire was used to keep people

1. warm and dry, 2. as a weapon (burning

sticks of wood thrown at animals) 3. to clear out brush for their

territory 4. they used fire to cook.

V. Seeking Shelter • Shelter was really non-existent.

They used pits, dry riverbeds, and overhanging rock. Finally caves were used most of the time.

VI. Making Clothing • Animal skins were used for

protection and warmth – Pounding fat into the skin made it

softer.

• Once clothing was used, people could move to cooler and wetter regions.

VII. Developing Language • Grunting and hand signals were used

to express meaning • The development of language was a

great human achievement. It made it possible for people to work together, share ideas, and pass on beliefs and stories.

VIII. The Neanderthals • Homohabilis – “Skillful man”- first people on

earth • Then Homoerectus – “Man who walks upright” • Homosapiens – (between 300,000 & 200,000

years ago) • “Man who thinks.”

• Neanderthal • Cro-Magnons

• Neanderthal – named after Neander River in Germany where the first remains were discovered in 1856.• 1 Million were living at 1 time• Were good hunters – used traps & pitfalls (a large hole

covered with brauches) to catch animals. • Were the first to bury their dead.

IX. The Cro- Magnons• Cro-Magnon- named after a rock shelter in France

where the first remains were found in 1868• Cro-Magnon lived 100,000 years ago. Considered first

modern human beings• Skillful Toolmakers-

– Burin (chisel)- used to make tools from antler, bone, ivory, shell, stone and wood.

– Spear throwers- were also used to hunt animals. – Axe- used to cut down trees and hollow logs for canoes. – They made jewelry from bone, shell, and ivory. – Played music from bones.

• Artists – Carved Statues out of ivory, bone – Painted Cave pictures (mostly animals)

• Believe cave painting had spirits and their spirits would help the Cro-Magnons find & kill animals.

• Cooperation – Cro-Magnon bands worked together and shared

information