If History is the study of the past… If History is the study of the past… then what is Pre-History? then what is Pre-History? “ “ It is now clear that long before the It is now clear that long before the invention of invention of writing writing , human beings made a , human beings made a place for their species in the natural place for their species in the natural world and laid the social, economic, and world and laid the social, economic, and cultural foundations on which their cultural foundations on which their successors built increasingly complex successors built increasingly complex societies.” Bentley p.8 societies.” Bentley p.8
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If History is the study of the past… If History is the study of the past… then what is Pre-History? then what is Pre-History?
If History is the study of the past… If History is the study of the past… then what is Pre-History? then what is Pre-History?
““It is now clear that long before the It is now clear that long before the invention of invention of writingwriting, human beings made a , human beings made a place for their species in the natural world place for their species in the natural world and laid the social, economic, and cultural and laid the social, economic, and cultural foundations on which their successors built foundations on which their successors built
““It is now clear that long before the It is now clear that long before the invention of invention of writingwriting, human beings made a , human beings made a place for their species in the natural world place for their species in the natural world and laid the social, economic, and cultural and laid the social, economic, and cultural foundations on which their successors built foundations on which their successors built
Do Now: On your handout, in the space Do Now: On your handout, in the space provided, make a list of images that provided, make a list of images that come to mind when you hear the word come to mind when you hear the word “Stone Age.”“Stone Age.”
Aim: How did humans live Aim: How did humans live during the Paleolithic Age?during the Paleolithic Age?
Theories on prehistory and Theories on prehistory and early man constantly change as early man constantly change as new evidence comes to light.new evidence comes to light. - Louis Leakey, British - Louis Leakey, British archaeologist archaeologist
Theories on prehistory and Theories on prehistory and early man constantly change as early man constantly change as new evidence comes to light.new evidence comes to light. - Louis Leakey, British - Louis Leakey, British archaeologist archaeologist
HominidsHominids --> any --> any membermember of the family of two- of the family of two-leggedlegged primates that includes primates that includes allall humans. humans.
HominidsHominids --> any --> any membermember of the family of two- of the family of two-leggedlegged primates that includes primates that includes allall humans. humans.
found – most complete and best preserved skeleton on any early ancestor.
Small brain: size of a grapefruit
Short, hairy, limited in intelligence but walked upright, had opposable thumbs, and communicated verbally
“ “Upright Walking Human Upright Walking Human Being”Being” “ “Upright Walking Human Upright Walking Human Being”Being”
Larger Brain: Larger and more Larger and more varied tools. primitive technology, varied tools. primitive technology, better communication, organized better communication, organized hunts.hunts.
Larger Brain: Larger and more Larger and more varied tools. primitive technology, varied tools. primitive technology, better communication, organized better communication, organized hunts.hunts. First hominid to First hominid to migratemigrate and leave Africa for and leave Africa for Europe and Asia. Traveled for stone for toolsEurope and Asia. Traveled for stone for tools
By 200,000 years ago, they were established in temperate areas
First hominid to First hominid to migratemigrate and leave Africa for and leave Africa for Europe and Asia. Traveled for stone for toolsEurope and Asia. Traveled for stone for tools
By 200,000 years ago, they were established in temperate areas
First to use and control First to use and control firefire ( 500,000 BCE )( 500,000 BCE ) First to use and control First to use and control firefire ( 500,000 BCE )( 500,000 BCE )
• Large brain with well developed areas for conscious and reflective thought-
highly intelligent
•Could live in areas beyond the temperate zones because intelligence allowed them to make clothes and shelters to protect them from the cold.
•Developed more advanced tools than predecessors (knives, spears, bows, arrows); made shelters of wood, bones, and animal skins
•Land bridge exposed by an ice age allowed them to travel to SE Asia, Australia, and the Americas
•With larger populations, large mammals became extinct due to hunting and changes in Earth’s environment
Scene One:1. How does Tom Hanks’
Character finally succeed? What skills did he need to acquire?
2. Describe his reaction? Why was it so important to him?
Scene Two:1. How has he adapted to
his environment? What skills has he developed?
2. Why did it take him so long to take this action?
Yeah, Cavemen weren’t so simple
after all!
Humans evolved over a long period time and developed more advanced brains, which allowed them to spread out in the world and adapt their environments to suit their needs.
““Paleolithic” --> “Paleolithic” --> “Old StoneOld Stone” Age” Age““Paleolithic” --> “Paleolithic” --> “Old StoneOld Stone” Age” AgeHunting (men) & gathering (women) --> small bands of Hunting (men) & gathering (women) --> small bands of 20-30 humans20-30 humansHunting (men) & gathering (women) --> small bands of Hunting (men) & gathering (women) --> small bands of 20-30 humans20-30 humansNOMADIC (moving from place to NOMADIC (moving from place to place)place)NOMADIC (moving from place to NOMADIC (moving from place to place)place)
Humans during this period found shelter in Humans during this period found shelter in caves.caves. Humans during this period found shelter in Humans during this period found shelter in caves.caves. Cave paintings were left Cave paintings were left behind behind Cave paintings were left Cave paintings were left behind behind
• Interested in fashion and art
•Depictions of animals and humans; possibly to gain control over animals they were hunting by capturing their spirits
•Made paints and brushes from natural materials – shows higher order thinking
•Small sculpture of women with exaggerated sexual features, showing interest in fertility
Paleolithic Cave Art
What do these paintings tell us about Paleolithic Culture?
Stone Age Tool Kit
Religionfire/animals were sacredBuried their dead with personal possessions
Religionfire/animals were sacredBuried their dead with personal possessions
Paleolithic Age“Old Stone Age”
2.5 million years ago – 8000B.C
Paleolithic Age“Old Stone Age”
2.5 million years ago – 8000B.C
SocietyNomadic – find food
Traveled with clan 20-30pplLived in caves
SocietyNomadic – find food
Traveled with clan 20-30pplLived in caves
FoodHunter-Gatherers
No Farming
FoodHunter-Gatherers
No Farming
TechnologyUsed stone tools for
hunting and warHarnessed fire
TechnologyUsed stone tools for
hunting and warHarnessed fire
Paleolithic peoples lived in small nomadic bands with few class distinctions, and had an interest in art and simple spiritual beliefs.