Do Now
You are in the wilderness alone with nothing but the clothes on your back. What do you think that you would need do to survive?
The Paleolithic Age • Until 900,000 years ago people lived only
on the grasslands of eastern and southern Africa.
• Climate changed and colder temperatures result in increase of glaciers and lower sea level
• Land was now visible connecting Africa to Europe and Asia, and people were able to migrate by crossing these land bridges.
• People later migrated to the Americas. • Scientists call the first age in which people
lived the Paleolithic Age.
Obtaining food• Paleolithic people lived in
bands• Lived and worked
together, sharing food and responsibilities
• Cared for sick and injured• Hunted in their home
territory, and moved along when food supply was used up
• Stone Age Hunting Video
Obtaining food• Responsibilities of
members:– Women and
children gathered food (berries, nuts, fruit, eggs, honey, roots).
– Men hunted for the meat (fish, small and large animals)
Making Tools• Paleolithic people made tools out of
stones or pebbles• Hit one pebble onto another to
create a jagged cutting edge.• Also made flakes (long, sharp edged
chips)• Used to cut meat, split bones, or
chop up plants. Also, used to make a stick into a digging stick or skewer.
• Made life much easier for hunters
• Stone Age tools video
Making fire
• Discovered how to make fire by rubbing two sticks or stones together
• Used to keep dry or warm or as a weapon.
• Used to clear out brush and undergrowth.
• Cooked food, which was easier to chew.– Spent less time eating and
more time doing other things
Seeking Shelter and Making Clothing
• Early people usually camped out in the open
• Sought shelter in holes, river beds, overhanging rocks, and piled brush.
• At first caves were used only in emergencies, but later they began to live in caves most of the time.
• Clothing was made out of animal skins – used for protection and
warmth. – Were able to move into cooler and
wetter areas.
Developing Language• Before they learned to
talk, early humans made sounds, or pointed to objects, to express meaning.
• Because of social need, language began to develop
• Made it possible for people to work together, share ideas, and pass on their beliefs and stories.
• Would result in progress.
Neanderthals• Neanderthals were the first
kind of Homo-sapiens, or “man who thinks.”
• Remains found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa
• Good hunters, made pitfalls• Were builders- made houses
for 30 people and improved cave dwellings with drainage system
• First people to bury their dead
Cro-Magnon• Homo-sapien and first
modern human beings.• Appeared in Asia, North
Africa, and Europe• First skillful tool and weapon
makers (burin, axe)• Spear throwers (made
hunting safer and more successful)
• Were artists, played music, and made jewelry
• Cooperative hunting which helped catch large animals
• Neanderthal vs. Cro-Magnons video
• Sorter
Closing Questions
• How were early people able to survive in the Paleolithic Age?
• Why do you think Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons were called, “man who thinks?” Give examples.
Do Now:
With the students in your row, decide who you think
would survive better? Neanderthals or Cro-
Magnons? Why?
Top Related