Hunter-Gatherer Societies 1.2

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived Life was harsh Developed technology to help them survive

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived The Development of Tools 2.5 million years ago early humans started to use tools This is the beginning of the Old Stone Age or Paleolithic Era Paleo = old Lithic = stone Era = a period of time or age Lasted until 10,000 years ago Early tools were simple Gradually the became more skillful at making tools including ranged weapons like spears and bows and arrows This allowed them to hunt larger animals

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived The Use of Fire The ability to use fire is a huge improvement in technology Cook meat Scare off animals Stay warm Work at night People could now live in more places

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived Wandering Bands Culture was very simple Culture includes things like Social organization Family organization Beliefs and values Technology Shelter Clothing Common activities Storytelling Rituals Art

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived Wandering Bands These were small groups of people (10-12 adults + children) They were often nomadic and followed their food source Sometime lived in caves or built temporary shelter Most of the day was spent looking for food Women and girls usually gathered and hunted small game Men and boys did the hunting

Later Stone Age Peoples Near the end of the Paleolithic 2 main groups of humans appeared Both had culture Only 1 group would ultimately survive

Later Stone Age Peoples Neanderthals Appeared in Asia about 200,000 years ago May have been the 1st people to bury their dead (sign of culture and possibly a belief in the afterlife)

Later Stone Age Peoples Modern Humans Appeared about 100,000 years ago Homo sapiens or wise people are modern humans -US Like Neanderthals in many ways – some culture, technology, use of fire But were taller, less muscular

Later Stone Age Peoples Most importantly developed complex language This allowed them to organize the hunt Communicate knowledge and skills to the next generation, warn of danger SURVIVAL For thousands of years the 2 groups lived near each other Either direct confrontation or the modern humans out hunted them or the groups intermixed And only homo sapiens are around today