The Old Stone Age (The Paleolithic Era) and and The New Stone Age (The Neolithic Era)

Scientists believe that life began on the continent of Africa 3 Scientists believe that life began on the continent of Africa 3.6 million years ago……

Theory of the Beginning of Man Neanderthal Cro-Magnon Modern Man

Cro-Magnon Man Cro-Magnon man -early Homo sapiens (the species to which modern humans belong) that lived about 40,000 years ago.

The Old Stone Age (The Paleolithic Era)

Role of Artifacts www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ rubin/images/artif... Let us know more about ancient cultures Somewhat limited – theories have formed to attempt to explain the past

The Old Stone Age or the Paleolithic Era, was a period of time that lasted until about 12,000 to 70,000 years ago.

How did man survive? Man survived by hunting animals and gathering roots, berries, leaves, and seeds.

Hunting Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Era) people eventually began to hunt in groups. Cave Art showing men hunting in groups These antlers may have been used as a disguise during the hunt.

Hunted Animals Mammoth Wild Boar Reindeer

Roots, Berries, and Other Plant Life Gathering... Roots, Berries, and Other Plant Life Scurvy Grass Crowberry Shabby Inkcaps Wild Cabbage Morel Goosebury

Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Era) Tools Man used stone, wood, and bone tools to survive during the Old Stone Age.

Bow found in Denmark Hand Axe Flint Blades used to sharpen tools Bone Harpoon

Food Processing using a flint blade to skin an animal using a flint blade to butcher a carcass

Cave Art

Lascaux Cave

There was another important development – the discovery of fire. Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Era) Development There was another important development – the discovery of fire There was another important development – the discovery of fire.

Many Stone Age people were Nomads, or people who had no settled home.

Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Era) Shelters

The Migration of Man

The New Stone Age (The Neolithic Era)

The New Stone Age (The Neolithic Era) The New Stone Age or The Neolithic Era lasted until about 6,000 to 12,000 years ago.

During the Neolithic Era, people began to settle in one place. The New Stone Age (The Neolithic Era) During the Neolithic Era, people began to settle in one place.

New Stone Age (Neolithic Era) Settlement

Man began to change his diet and eat grains and small animals.

The Development of Agriculture Agriculture is the raising of crops and animals. The development of agriculture began over a long period of time and in more than one place. People no longer needed to travel great distances to gather food.

People learned how to domesticate plants and animals. To domesticate means to train something to be useful to people. Early people learned to care for plants such as wheat, barley, peas, and lentils. The first farmers also domesticated wild goats, cattle, and sheep.

Ancient charred wheat grains are shown in the picture above. Man domesticated wild wheat.

Domesticated Corn Thousands of years ago, an ear of corn did not make much of a meal. (top) It took thousands of years of careful breeding for ears of corn to reach their present size. (bottom)

New Stone Age (Neolithic Era) Tools People still used stone, bone, and wooden tools, but some new tools were added by using copper and bronze.

Advanced Tools These early farming tools date back to around 8,000 years ago. The axe, bottom, was used for clearing; flint sickles, left, were used for harvesting cereal crops; a flat rock and rounded stone, center, were used for grinding flour; and perforated clay slabs, upper right, were probably used to ventilate bread ovens.

Prehistory Paleolithic Age – Old Stone Age (Est. 2 mil BC-9000 BC) Hunters & Gatherers Nomad: Moving from place to place in search for food. Men  hunted & fished. Woman  gathered fruits, nuts, etc. Way of Life Cave paintings Stone tools & pottery Domesticated dogs Neolithic Age – New Stone Age (9000 BC – 3000 BC) Farming  Neolithic Revolution People could remain in one place. Herding of animals – goats, sheep & cattle. Community – Council of Elders/Chief – made important decisions. Warrior class Kept possessions.

The Neolithic Revolution

Early People Section 1: Studying the Distant Past • Archaeologists study prehistoric times by examining things that early peoples left behind. • The study of fossils has helped archaeologists learn about the lives of the earliest humans. • Archaeological studies suggest that the earliest humans

Early People Section 2: Hunter-Gatherer Societies • Hunter-gatherer societies moved from place to place, hunting small animals and gathering plants for food. • The development of tools and the use of fire helped the people in hunter gatherer societies improve their lives. • Modern humans developed the ability to use language, which helped them to survive.

Early People Section 3: Populating the Earth • By about 12,500 years ago, modern humans had spread to many regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, North America, and South America. • Modern humans adapted to Ice Age conditions by building shelters and making warm clothing. • By forming larger groups, modern humans adapted in order to better hunt and defend themselves.

The Beginning of Civilization Section 1: Early Agriculture • Over a long time, hunter-gatherers domesticated plants and animals, and most groups became farmers. • Although the Middle East was the first center of agriculture, farming appeared in several other parts of the world. • Permanent farming settlements developed, and surplus food allowed some people to become crafts workers.

The End