1. Living in the Stone Age

2. “Lithos” = stone Paleolithic Age Greek “paleo” means “old”
Upper Paleolithic age was – years ago
Neolithic Age
Greek “neo” means “new”
Neolithic Revolution occurred between 9000 – 4000 BCE

3. Comparing the Stone Ages
NEOLITHIC
People abandoned semi-nomadic life and began farming
Agricultural revolution was a progression of the “Great Leap Forward”
planting of crops
domesticating of animals
Better tools & weapons
PALEOLITHIC
People lived in small groups of 5-10 families
Nomadic to semi-nomadic (hunting and gathering)
Close relationships between bands of people
ie. Cro-Magnon society

4. Social Structure: Paleolithic Age
Beginnings of closer social relationships (arranged marriages with other bands, bartering for raw materials)
Beginning of stratification= emergence of leadership and beginning of social classes (age, gender, experiences)
men were big game hunters; women captured small game
women & children were gatherers (approx % of diet came from roots, potatoes, fruits, berries)
Women made clothing from animal hides and nurtured children

5. Social Structure: Neolithic Age
Increasing knowledge of plants and animals allowed more control of food supply
End of Ice Age brought a warmer, wetter climate which brought new wild grasses and grains
As population grew, so did the competition for land
Shift from semi-nomadic to the building of permanent towns and cities (first city was Jericho, in Mesopotamia between 8000 – 7000 BCE)
Trade by barter system was a crucial factor in the origin of cities (obsidian – a volcanic glass was one of the most valued traded materials (tools, weapons, art) would be traded for farm produce
Development of hierarchical class system
Domestication animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs)
More occupations emerged with more permanent cities and towns

6. Religion & Art in Paleolithic Age
The Paleolithic Age (Cro-Magnon) was the first to develop fine art as drawings
Over 100 European caves showcase CAVE PAINTINGS of deer, horses and animals which are now extinct
Beginnings of cultural explosion in art as more tools, pendants, jewellery, and sculptures/ figurines of clay, ivory and stone emerged
More advanced spiritual practices emerged as graves were found containing beads, ivory jewellery and spears made of mammoth tusks buried with bodies = this suggests a ritual burial with a view of an afterlife

7. Caves at Lascaux [lass co]
Painting at Lascaux Caves (south central France) found in BCE
Painters used irregularities in cave walls to add a 3-D effect to figures
Paintings portray an awe and reverence towards animals which shows that for the first time people were expressing religious beliefs (rituals related to hunting magic; sacrifices of animals)

8. Venus of Willendorf
Small sculptures such as the Venus of Willendorf were common to the Paleolithic Age
Sculpture features exaggerated curves (large breasts and wide hips) on female figure
Venus figurines are symbolic of the importance of fertility of a mother goddess

9. Weapons & Technology PALEOLITHIC
Better hunting strategies due to co-operation and more lethal weapons
Better tools for skinning game, preparing food, sewing clothes
Cro-Magnons stored food over winter showing more planning
Invention of the bow and arrow around BCE made hunting more easy
NEOLITHIC
More efficient tools (sickle made of flint blades and antler; axes, hoe, copper use) which helped farm and make weapons and tools
Domestication of animals to do manual work and the planting of crops freed people from the pursuit of food
New time for leisure activities (art, music, sports, religion)

10. STONEHENGE Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain in England
Created BCE
Stonehenge is an example of a Neolithic megalith (megalith = Greek for “big stones”)
Exact purpose is unknown: religious rituals, agricultural markers or astronomical observatories?

11. Major Innovations of the Stone Age
More complex human societies (from semi-nomadic to permanent cities; domestication of animals; leisure time)
Development of social hierarchies
Development of alliances and cooperation
Marriage customs
Development of trade goods and routes
Religious rituals
Refined sense of artistic beauty

12. ALL THESE LEAD TO THE FIRST “CIVILIZATION”

13. Video Clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yocja_N5s1I