Prehistory for 4th grade

by Neus Vinyallonga cc. Paz de la RosaCurso 2016-2017

Prehistory is…

the period of time in the past before people could write.

Time: from 3 milion years to 3.000 years b.C.

This long period can be divided into 3 stages:- Paleolithic Age- Neolithic Age- Metal Age

PALEOLITHICPALEOLITHIC means “old stone”.

TIMEIt starts with the appeareance of the first hominids (3 million of years ago) and ends with the discovery of agriculture (7,000 years b.C.)

FOOD

During that time, humans got their food by hunting animals, by fishing and by collecting fruits, nuts, and other wild plants .

FIRE

The fire allowed them to cook food, warm themselves and have light. Fire was also used as protection against wild animals.

LIVINGThey were nomadic, they traveled to find food.They live in caves or simple huts.

They form small groups of 20 or 30 people called tribes. They live up to about 35 years because of a cold climate.

TOOLS

Tools were very important to:•Hunt.•Eat.•Build other things.

They were made of stone.

ART

Around 30,000 years ago humans begin painting on the walls of caves.

Most important caves with paitings:•Altimira (Cantabria, Spain).•Chauvet (France)•Pech Merle (France)

NEOLITHICTIMEThe Neolithic Era (New Stone Age) begins 10,000 years b.C. until 5.000 years b.C.

FOODHumans invented agriculture and livestock raising.

Neolithic people learn how to plant cereals and to farm and domesticate animals.

LIVINGNeolithic people are not nomadic. They settle down in small towns and build simple houses.

Trade started in Neolithic times. Trade is exchanging goods (cereals, milk, jewelry, clothes…)

TOOLS

People use stone and bone tools, but they begin to be more sophisticated.

Pottery is made for the first time during the Neolithic Age.

ARTArt is also more sophisticated.

METAL AGETIME The Age of Metals began when human beings to learn

how to use metals to make objects (5.000 years b.C.).

LIVING

• People live more years. Because of this, population increased.• Some villages become small cities with hundreds of inhabitants.• Cities are surrounded by walls, and inside there are buildings

with different functions: houses, stores, shops or workshops.

TOOLS AND ART

Metal tools are better than stone tools.

Metal is used for:-Tools such as knives.-Weapons such as swords.-Jewlery such as necklaces.

Weapons

Jewlery