Living in the Stone Age

“Lithos” = stone Paleolithic Age Greek “paleo” = “old” Paleolithic age was 3,000,000+ – 10 000 BCE Neolithic Age Greek “neo” = “new” Neolithic Revolution occurred between 9000 – 4000 BCE

Comparing the Stone Ages NEOLITHIC People abandoned semi-nomadic life & 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 & gathering) Close relationships between bands of people ie. Cro-Magnon society

Social Structure: Paleolithic Age Beginning: closer social relationships  arranged marriages with other bands  bartering for raw materials Stratification = leadership & social classes age, gender, experiences Roles: MEN  big game hunters WOMEN  small game  gatherers (approx. 60-70% of diet ~ roots, potatoes, fruits, berries)  made clothing from animal hides  nurtured children

Social Structure: Neolithic Age knowledge of plants & animals = 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 http://donsmaps.com/images2/lakedwelling.jpg

Social Structure: Neolithic Age… Shift from semi-nomadic to the building of permanent towns & cities 1st city was Jericho, in Mesopotamia between 8000 – 7000 BCE http://archives.cnn.com/2000/TRAVEL/NEWS/11/03/mideast.casino.reut/map.wbank.jericho.jpg

Social Structure: Neolithic Age… Trade ~ barter system (crucial factor in the origin of cities) obsidian ~ a volcanic glass one of the most valued/traded materials (tools, weapons, art) ~ would be traded for farm produce Development of hierarchical class system Domestication of animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) More occupations emerged with more permanent cities & towns http://www.dainst.org/medien/de/Aruchlo_05-k.jpg http://www.greekislands.com/milos/9.jpg

Religion & Art in Paleolithic Age 1st to develop fine art as drawings Over 100 European caves showcase CAVE PAINTINGS deer, horses & animals which are now extinct Beginnings of cultural explosion in art tools, pendants, jewellery & sculptures/ figurines of clay, ivory & stone More advanced spiritual practices emerged graves were found containing beads, ivory jewellery & spears made of mammoth tusks buried with bodies = this suggests a ritual burial with a view of an afterlife

Caves at Lascaux [lass co] Lascaux Caves (south central France) art circa 15 000 BCE used irregularities in cave walls to add a 3-D effect to figures Paintings portray an awe & reverence towards animals which shows that for the 1st time people were expressing religious beliefs (rituals related to hunting magic; sacrifices of animals)

Weapons & Technology PALEOLITHIC Better hunting strategies due to co-operation & 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 & arrow around 20 000 BCE made hunting more easy NEOLITHIC More efficient farming tools & weapons (sickle made of flint blades & antler; axes, hoe, copper use) Domestication of animals to do manual work & the planting of crops freed people from the pursuit of food New time for leisure activities (art, music, sports, religion)

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 & cooperation Marriage customs Development of trade goods & routes Religious rituals Refined sense of artistic beauty

ALL LEAD TO THE FIRST “CIVILIZATION”