The Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages

Before and after 8000BC

The Paleolithic Age

• Known as the “Old Stone Age”– Starts with the beginnings of early man– All early humans were part of this age

• Lives were nomadic – moved constantly to adapt to environment– Constant search for food, shelter, water – Considered hunter-gatherers

• Lived in clans – usually family based• Numerous achievements accomplished in this time

period

Characteristics/Achievements of the Paleolithic Age

• Invented the first simple stone tools– Used for many reasons, mainly survival

• Learned to control and create fire– Gives warmth, protection

• Created a very simple oral language • Created “cave art”

– Created by hunter-gatherer societies during the Old Stone Age

– Most early cave art found in Africa, Europe, and Australia

• Purpose of art was to convey messages, mark territory, and create historical accounts

The Neolithic Revolution

• Neo = new, Lithic = Stone– Revolution = major change in society

• Creation of farming marks the Neolithic Age– Started about 8,000 BCE

• Neolithic Revolution is the start of farming– Crop growth was aided by warmer climate (the end

of last Great Ice Age)– Allowed nomads to begin to settle in one area

• Farming starts by clans leaving remains of plants– Upon their return they found food growing

• This was the birth of farming

Characteristics of the Neolithic Revolution

• Ability to farm and domesticate plants– Corn, wheat, maize, etc. able to be grown each year

• Ability to domesticate animals for consumption– Cattle, sheep, and other docile animals give a constant

source of protein and meat

• Advanced tools and techniques created– Vast improvements of the stone tools of the past

• Pottery created for numerous uses– Eating, drinking, storage and carrying of water

• Weaving skills created– Allowed clothing and blankets to be created

Effects of the Neolithic Revolution

• Beginning of agriculture leads to– Ability to create permanent settlements– Constant food sources– Start of the creation of civilizations

• Farming leads to more food– More food allowed people to live longer– Longer lives led to large populations– Larger population led to increase demand for

food• To create more food, new ideas arise

– Slash and burn farming- cutting down trees and burning them to let ashes into the soil to add nutrients

– Domestication - taming animals for working and for slaughter (sheep, pigs, cattle)

Other New Inventions• New ways to farm

– Invented the plow to till the land faster

– Used animals to pull the plow • Created less human labor

• Made stronger tools/ weapons using metals– Mixed copper and tin to make

bronze– Begins the Bronze Age

• Bronze Age begins around 2500 BC (times vary)– Bronze was stronger and more

durable than stone tools

Archeologists & Anthropologists

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•Numerous locations have been studied

– Stonehenge, Aleppo, Jericho, Catal Hayuk (Anatolia)

• All early cities of the Fertile Crescent (except Stonehenge)

•Stonehenge built during the Bronze Age