Living in the Stone Age

“Lithos” = stone Paleolithic Age Greek “paleo” means “old” Upper Paleolithic age was 50 000 – 10 000 years ago Neolithic Age Greek “neo” means “new” Neolithic Revolution occurred between 9000 – 4000 BCE

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

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. 60-70% of diet came from roots, potatoes, fruits, berries) Women made clothing from animal hides and nurtured children

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

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

Caves at Lascaux [lass co] Painting at Lascaux Caves (south central France) found in 15 000 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)

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

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 20 000 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)

STONEHENGE Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain in England Created 2800-1500 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?

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

ALL THESE LEAD TO THE FIRST “CIVILIZATION”

Video Clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yocja_N5s1I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1g60SSGmeY