Paleolithic Times Detail: BIG PICTURE: Who were nomads? How did they get their food? What does the term “cultural diffusion” mean? BIG PICTURE: Why was life for Paleolithic nomads so difficult?

I Hunters & Gatherers The earliest time in human history is called the Paleolithic Age (the Old Stone Age) During the Paleolithic Age people were nomads: people who moved around from place to place hunting and gathering their food. These nomads lived in simple societies, small groups of people who all traveled together. However hunting was difficult… Now complete Activity ONE!

II. Adapting to the Environment The nomads of the Paleolithic Age changed with their environment. The nomads learned to… Make simple tools and weapons Basic communication, which helped with hunting Clothing made of animal skin, and Fire for warmth and cooking. See if you can survive, completed Activity TWO!

III. Spiritual Beliefs Toward the end of the Paleolithic Age nomads began to bury their dead with care. This practice suggests they believed in an Afterlife. They also buried tools and weapons with their dead. If you were a nomad, what would you believe? Complete Activity THREE!

IV. Survival and Migration During the Paleolithic Age people migrated north and east to Europe and Asia. After many years some people migrated over a land-bridge into North America. This migration led to cultural diffusion: the exchange of ideas, customs, and goods among different cultures Try to survive the Mammoth, try Activity FOUR!