Pre-historic TimesPre-historic Times

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

IntroductionIntroduction Website LinksWebsite Links The Old Stone AgeThe Old Stone Age The Middle Stone AgeThe Middle Stone Age The New Stone AgeThe New Stone Age NeanderthalsNeanderthals Cro-magnonsCro-magnons Prehistoric ArtPrehistoric Art

Pre-history vs Historic PeriodsPre-history vs Historic Periods

Prehistoric = no writing Prehistoric = no writing - There was no writing so we have no easy to There was no writing so we have no easy to

understand records of what happened. understand records of what happened. - Have to be detectivesHave to be detectives Historic = writingHistoric = writing

- Mankind started to record what happened - Mankind started to record what happened

Stone AgesStone Ages

Old Stone Age- 500,000-10,000 years agoOld Stone Age- 500,000-10,000 years ago Middle Stone Age- 10,000-8,000 years agoMiddle Stone Age- 10,000-8,000 years ago New Stone Age- 8,000-5,000 years agoNew Stone Age- 8,000-5,000 years ago

Stone AgeStone Age Stone Age, the time, early in the development of Stone Age, the time, early in the development of

human cultures, before the use of metals, when tools human cultures, before the use of metals, when tools and weapons were made of stone. The dates of the and weapons were made of stone. The dates of the Stone Age vary considerably for different parts of the Stone Age vary considerably for different parts of the world. In Europe, Asia, and Africa it began about 2 world. In Europe, Asia, and Africa it began about 2 million years ago. million years ago.

In the most advanced parts of the Middle East and In the most advanced parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia it ended about 6000 bc, but it lingered Southeast Asia it ended about 6000 bc, but it lingered until 4000 bc or later in Europe, the rest of Asia, and until 4000 bc or later in Europe, the rest of Asia, and Africa. Africa.

The Stone Age in the Americas began when human The Stone Age in the Americas began when human beings first arrived in the New World, some 30,000 beings first arrived in the New World, some 30,000 years ago, and ended in some areas about 2500 bc at years ago, and ended in some areas about 2500 bc at the earliest. the earliest.

Throughout the immense time span of the Stone Age, Throughout the immense time span of the Stone Age, vast changes occurred in climate and in other vast changes occurred in climate and in other conditions affecting human culture. Humans conditions affecting human culture. Humans themselves evolved into their modern form during the themselves evolved into their modern form during the latter part of it. latter part of it.

The Stone Age has been divided accordingly into three The Stone Age has been divided accordingly into three periods: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. periods: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.

Paleolithic (Old Stone Age)Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) Longest period.Longest period. It began about It began about 2 million years2 million years ago, when stone ago, when stone

tools were first used by humanoid creatures, and tools were first used by humanoid creatures, and ended with the close of the last ice age about ended with the close of the last ice age about 13,000 bc. 13,000 bc.

The The hunting and gatheringhunting and gathering of food was the of food was the norm. At first, single tools, such as chipped norm. At first, single tools, such as chipped pebbles or flaked stone implements, were used pebbles or flaked stone implements, were used for all purposes. Over time, a variety of tools for all purposes. Over time, a variety of tools were made for specific purposes. were made for specific purposes.

By about 100,000 years ago, Neanderthal By about 100,000 years ago, Neanderthal cultures had several types of tools and were using cultures had several types of tools and were using bone implements. bone implements.

At the end of the Paleolithic period, modern At the end of the Paleolithic period, modern humans (Homo sapiens) made such specialized humans (Homo sapiens) made such specialized tools as needles and harpoons. In the Cro-tools as needles and harpoons. In the Cro-Magnon caves of Europe, wall paintings and Magnon caves of Europe, wall paintings and evidence of both religious cults and possible evidence of both religious cults and possible social stratification point to the complexity of the social stratification point to the complexity of the cultures. cultures.

Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)

After 13,000 BC After 13,000 BC Changing weather patterns resulted in the Changing weather patterns resulted in the

greater availability of food. greater availability of food. In tropical and temperate forest regions, In tropical and temperate forest regions,

Paleolithic tools, still chipped, were adapted to Paleolithic tools, still chipped, were adapted to the new conditions.the new conditions.

Neolithic (New Stone Age)Neolithic (New Stone Age)

In both the Middle East and in Mesoamerica, In both the Middle East and in Mesoamerica, however, agricultural villages had begun to however, agricultural villages had begun to develop by 8000 BC.develop by 8000 BC.

This is known as the Neolithic period, or New This is known as the Neolithic period, or New Stone Age. Stone Age.

Stone tools became highly polished and varied. By Stone tools became highly polished and varied. By 6000 bc pottery appeared in the ancient Middle 6000 bc pottery appeared in the ancient Middle East, and copper was used for the first time in East, and copper was used for the first time in some regions. In other regions, the Neolithic some regions. In other regions, the Neolithic arrived much later.arrived much later.

LeakeyLeakey

AnthropologistsAnthropologists

known for discoveringknown for discovering

-East African Man,-East African Man,

-Homo Habiles-Homo Habiles

-Homo erectus-Homo erectus

3.5 million year old footprints3.5 million year old footprints A trail of footprints A trail of footprints 3 1/2 million 3 1/2 million

yearsyears old found by old found by Mary LeakeyMary Leakey at at Laetoli, Laetoli, TanzaniaTanzania. These footprints . These footprints show that human-like creatures were show that human-like creatures were walking upright in East Africa 3 1/2 walking upright in East Africa 3 1/2 million years ago. million years ago.

Although precise relationships Although precise relationships between the between the AustralopithecineAustralopithecine species species and modern man and modern man (Homo sapiens)(Homo sapiens) are are still subject to debate, new discoveries still subject to debate, new discoveries in Africa promise to continue pushing in Africa promise to continue pushing back the frontiers of knowledge about back the frontiers of knowledge about human prehistory.human prehistory.

Homo erectus, Neanderthal, Homo erectus, Neanderthal, Cro-MagnonCro-Magnon

The reconstructed skulls of three The reconstructed skulls of three prehistoric humans. From left to right: prehistoric humans. From left to right: Homo erectus,Homo erectus, Neanderthal, and Cro- Neanderthal, and Cro-Magnon. Magnon. Homo erectusHomo erectus (formerly known (formerly known as as Pithecanthropus erectus,Pithecanthropus erectus, a part of the a part of the species which includes Java Man and species which includes Java Man and Peking Man) lived from 1 1/2 million to Peking Man) lived from 1 1/2 million to 250,000 years ago.250,000 years ago.

These people were more than five feet tall These people were more than five feet tall and probably had spoken languages. and probably had spoken languages. Although they used stone tools and fire, no Although they used stone tools and fire, no traces of industry were found associated traces of industry were found associated with them. with them.

The Neanderthals, who lived from 100,000 The Neanderthals, who lived from 100,000 to 35,000 years ago, are among the direct to 35,000 years ago, are among the direct ancestors of modern man (ancestors of modern man (Homo sapiensHomo sapiens); ); their burial remains indicate a belief in an their burial remains indicate a belief in an afterlife. Cro-Magnon Man lived from afterlife. Cro-Magnon Man lived from 35,000 to 10,000 years ago, in the late 35,000 to 10,000 years ago, in the late Paleolithic (Stone) age, and was similar to Paleolithic (Stone) age, and was similar to modern humans. (GPB)modern humans. (GPB)

NeanderthalsNeanderthals

Neanderthals are the best known of the ancient Neanderthals are the best known of the ancient humans. The Neanderthals lived in Europe and humans. The Neanderthals lived in Europe and central Asia between 230,000 and 30,000 years ago—central Asia between 230,000 and 30,000 years ago—longer than longer than Homo sapiensHomo sapiens, or modern humans, have , or modern humans, have lived on Earth. They lived during the most recent Ice lived on Earth. They lived during the most recent Ice Age, when vast sheets of ice covered many northern Age, when vast sheets of ice covered many northern parts of the world. parts of the world.

The term “Neanderthal” (also spelled Neandertal) The term “Neanderthal” (also spelled Neandertal) comes from the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf, comes from the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf, Germany. This is where scientists found the first Germany. This is where scientists found the first Neanderthal fossils in 1856. Neanderthal fossils in 1856.

What do you know about What do you know about Neanderthals?Neanderthals?

1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5. 6.6.

Neanderthal VideoNeanderthal Video

Main Ideas:Main Ideas:

Homo Sapiens and NeanderthalsHomo Sapiens and Neanderthals Scientists believe Homo sapiens first appeared about Scientists believe Homo sapiens first appeared about

120,000 years ago, which means they coexisted with 120,000 years ago, which means they coexisted with Neanderthals. Neanderthals.

Scientists have Scientists have two theoriestwo theories about the relationshipabout the relationship between between modern Homo sapiens and Neanderthals: modern Homo sapiens and Neanderthals:

• • Out of Africa:Out of Africa: The theory states that Homo sapiens first lived in The theory states that Homo sapiens first lived in Africa and eventually traveled into Europe and Asia. These humans Africa and eventually traveled into Europe and Asia. These humans had evolutionary advantages that allowed them to outlive—and had evolutionary advantages that allowed them to outlive—and perhaps cause the extinction of all other hominid groups (as opposed perhaps cause the extinction of all other hominid groups (as opposed to apes) such as Neanderthal. to apes) such as Neanderthal.

• • Multiregional:Multiregional: The theory states that modern Homo sapiens The theory states that modern Homo sapiens evolved from Neanderthal and other hominid groups in Europe and evolved from Neanderthal and other hominid groups in Europe and Asia.Asia.

Group ProjectGroup Project

Project AimProject Aim: Study the physical features and : Study the physical features and lives of Neanderthals. Research the lives of Neanderthals. Research the following:following:

• • Physical features and cranial capacity Physical features and cranial capacity • • Hunting and diet Hunting and diet • • Tools and weapons Tools and weapons • • Burial of dead and religion Burial of dead and religion • • Shelter Shelter • • Art, music, and language Art, music, and language

Use the following websites and write a one page Use the following websites and write a one page group paper. Print out or sketch pictures you find group paper. Print out or sketch pictures you find while doing research.while doing research.

- - In the Stone Ages In the Stone Ages (see A Neanderthal’s Day and (see A Neanderthal’s Day and Follow Your Roots) Follow Your Roots)

http://www.neanderthal-modern.com/ http://www.neanderthal-modern.com/ - - Neandertals: A Cyber PerspectiveNeandertals: A Cyber Perspective

http://dsc.discovery.com/stories/science/stoneages/shttp://dsc.discovery.com/stories/science/stoneages/stoneages.html toneages.html

- - Homo NeanderthalensisHomo Neanderthalensis http://sapphire.indstate.edu/~ramanank/ http://sapphire.indstate.edu/~ramanank/

http://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/hfs9.html http://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/hfs9.html • • Neanderthal for High School Students Neanderthal for High School Students http://members.iinet.net.au/~chawkins/http://members.iinet.net.au/~chawkins/

frames.htmframes.htm Gale Discovering Gale Discovering

http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/newm58356http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/newm58356 EBSCO http://search.epnet.comEBSCO http://search.epnet.com

Prehistoric ArtPrehistoric Art

Cave PaintingsCave Paintings A prehistoric bison painting from A prehistoric bison painting from

the caves at the caves at Altamira, SpainAltamira, Spain. . This image was found in the This image was found in the

Painted Hall, a 300-yard deep Painted Hall, a 300-yard deep limestone cave. limestone cave.

This cave is a prehistoric gallery This cave is a prehistoric gallery of of Cro-Magnon artCro-Magnon art that includes that includes 25 other images of various 25 other images of various animals: bison, boars, horses, animals: bison, boars, horses, deer, and a wolf. deer, and a wolf.

The paintings date back to the Old The paintings date back to the Old Stone Age, around 12,000 B.C.Stone Age, around 12,000 B.C.

Pictograph: Painting on a surface like a cave wall.

Petroglyph:Design carved into rock or other surface.

Kentucky Rock Art

Cave of Lascaux, France

Discovered by four boys in 1940.

Caves are filled with pictographs and petroglyphs of hundreds of animals.

There are almost 600 pictures of animals, mostly horses.

Other animals painted are stags, bulls, bison, and ibex.

Only one man is painted.

Why did they paint the cave? What do the paintings mean?

Just the animals that were around at that time.

Instructions on how to hunt or not to hunt.

The cave was used for religious ceremonies.

Painting were for good luck in hunting.

PowerPoint created by Amy J McCray, WKU Anthropology Undergrad. 2005.

ReferencesReferences Coy, Fred, Thomas C. Fuller, Larry G. Meadows, and James L. Swauger. Coy, Fred, Thomas C. Fuller, Larry G. Meadows, and James L. Swauger.

Rock Art of KentuckyRock Art of Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, . University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2003.2003.

Google Images. 1 December 2005. <http://www.google.com/imghp?Google Images. 1 December 2005. <http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&q=>hl=en&tab=wi&q=>

The Caves of Lascaux. 1 May 2005.The Caves of Lascaux. 1 May 2005.

<http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/><http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/>