The Stone Age, Universal History of Educational applications

2. The Paleolithic Period

This period is the longest prehistoric period, which ranges from the appearance of the first humans 2.5 million years ago until 10,000 years A.C. It is further divided into three periods:

1. The Lower Paleolithic, which goes from the appearance of the first humans, about 2.5 million years ago until 125,000 A.C. The Homo habilis and the Homo erectus were the first human beings that developed activities. They made hand axes and carved stone. They lived by hunting, outdoor camps and made fire.

2. The Middle Paleolithic period comprises from about 125,000 A.C. until 40,000 A.C. and it was the Neanderthal human that live in the region that is known today as Europe. They used hand axes of a triangular shape.

3. The Upper Paleolithic starts from about 40,000 A.C. until 10,000. A.C. This period encompasses the cultures created by the Cro-Magnon and Homo sapiens sapiens. This latter one invented the bow and arrow and was a great cave painting artist.

B) Indicate whether the following statements refer to the Lower Paleolithic, the Middle Paleolithic or the Upper Paleolithic period:

It began about 2.5 million years ago
It began on 125,000 A.C.
It began on 40,000 A.C.
When the bow and arrow was invented
When hand axes of a triangular shape were used
When the Homo erectus lived
When the Homo sapiens sapiens lived
When the Neanderthal lived

3. Life and Culture during the Paleolithic Period

The biggest concern of humans during this period was finding food to survive. They gathered fruits, would fish and hunt reindeer, deer, wild boar and horses. They had to migrate from place to place, and that is why they were called nomads.

Our ancestors would bury the dead and worship them. They also worshipped their gods, such as the Sun, the Moon, and the stars.

During the Upper Paleolithic period, they would paint buffalos, elephants, horses, reindeer, etc., on the walls of the caves. These types of paintings have been found in the zone of Altamira (Spain) and Lascaux (Southern France). They are known as cave paintings.

C) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false:

They looked for food to survive

They drank orange juice

They always stayed in the same place

They were nomads

They would abandon their dead

They worshipped their gods

They painted during the Lower Paleolithic period

There are cave paintings in Altamira

4. The Neolithic Period

Between the years 8,000 and 6,000 A.C. there was a favorable climate change that raised temperatures. This encouraged a change in nutrition: humans of this period discovered agriculture, livestock, and pottery. This type of cultural revolution is known as Neolithic.

It was then when part of humanity became sedentary, grouped themselves in villages and cities. The artisan occupations of this period developed hoes to dig the ground, stone sickles to reap wheat, and mills to grind the grain.

Once they invented the wheel, they were able to make types of carts and the potter’s wheel. Another important invention was the plow, which was pulled by oxen or donkeys in order to plow the ground.

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®Arturo Ramo García.-Record of intellectual property of Teruel (Spain) No 141, of 29-IX-1999
Plaza Playa de Aro, 3, 1º DO 44002-TERUEL

Mixture of copper and tin
They used carved stone
They made weapons with iron
They used polish stone

They looked for food to survive
They drank orange juice
They always stayed in the same place
They were nomads
They would abandon their dead
They worshipped their gods
They painted during the Lower Paleolithic period
There are cave paintings in Altamira