Early Human History

Paleolithic art from Lascaux, France.

I. The Stone Age

Stone Age split into three distinct periods: Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age – roughly 2 million years ago

until 12,000 B.C.E. Mesolithic (Middle Stone) Age – about 12,000 to 8,000

B.C.E. Neolithic (New Stone) Age – about 8,000 to 3,000 B.C.E.

Life during Paleolithic age Simple tool use (stones of varying shapes and sizes, sticks) Nomads – highly mobile people, move from place to place,

typically in search of food/water sources Hunting-gathering– depend on hunting animals and

collecting foods Population growth was slow – hunter-gatherer way of life

cannot support large groups

I. continued…

Life in Paleolithic Age continued… Late Paleolithic – development of culture

A people’s unique way of life – helps explain the environment and rules for social behavior

Development of complex languages and speech Migration patterns emerge – all continents (ex. Antarctica)

populated by end of Paleolithic Age Developments in the Mesolithic Age

Climate change Last great Ice Age ends, living conditions improve for most of

the Northern Hemisphere Human progress accelerates – tools, weapons become more

sophisticated (still stone) Food storage, animal domestication (taming) begins Population growth accelerated

CHALLENGE

QUESTION!

II. Neolithic Age

Between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, agriculture (farming) began Called the Neolithic Revolution Took thousands of years to spread

from Middle East (Fertile Crescent) to rest of world

Many groups began by practicing an early agriculture technique called slash-and-burn farming: Cut and burned vegetation to clear a field – allowed to grow

back after a season or two, once farmers have moved on Further domestication of animals – horses, dogs, goats,

pigs, sheep, camels Population increase

II. Continued…

Neolithic Revolution paves way for permanent settlements Agriculture allowed larger groups

to live in one placeCatal Huyuk – example of

early settlement A Neolithic Age village, founded

about 7,000 B.C.E. in modern-day Turkey

Population was in the thousands (a real metropolis for its time) Cultural life flourished, beginnings of what we might consider

civilization Drawbacks: disease, warfare becomes more common

Neolithic Revolution comic

DISCUSSION!

Some historians and anthropologists have said that the invention of farming is both the best and worst thing to happen to humanity. What do you think that means?

Use your reading and in-class notes, as well as your own opinions, to help you formulate a brief response.

We will have a 15-minute round-table discussion concerning this statement. YOU MUST PARTICIPATE.

Paleolithic Migration Patterns

CHALLENGE QUESTION!

What is the most important development of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages? Why? Write for five minutes, complete sentences.

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