It is divided into three periods of different lengths:
The Epipaleolithic (from 8000 B.C.) was a period of transition between the Paleolithic and Neolithic Age in Europe and on the Iberian Peninsula. As temperatures rose and the ice receded, some Neolithic advances were adopted in these regions. The tools they made were similar to those of the previous period, but smaller.
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5 hide: skin of an animal
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In the Paleolithic Age, hominids lived in very difficult conditions. They had to deal with very cold periods, called glacial periods, followed by intermediate periods with milder temperatures, called interglacial periods.
They were scavengers, which meant they had to compete with hyenas and vultures for the meat of dead animals. Later they lived by gathering wild fruit, hunting wild animals (deer, caribou, bison, horses and mammoths) and fishing.
There was a very high rate of mortality, especially in children, and in general they did not live very long.
When they learned to control fire, the situation improved greatly. They could challenge other predators, provide heat, light and cook food.
Fire was made by using friction, by rubbing two sticks or stones together. One and a half million years ago Homo erectus made use of naturally occurring fire. Later, hominids discovered the technique to make fire themselves.
Fire greatly improved the diet of human beings. Cooked food was easier to digest and required less effort to chew. The facial features of Homo sapiens possibly became more delicate due to this discovery.
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To catch large mammals, hunting was done in groups. Stampedes were caused so the herds would go towards natural traps (swamps and ravines) or man-made ones. Successful hunting required coordination, which probably led to the development of language.
The inhabitants of the Paleolithic Period lived a nomadic life, moving around in search of animals to hunt. They lived outside in huts made of branches and animal hides or sheltered in caves. They wore the hides of the animals they had caught. They made use of the whole animal, including the teeth and horns, which they used to make tools or adornments.
Religion appeared when humans tried to find explanations for natural phenomena they couldn't explain. The Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) were the first to bury their dead, 100 000 years ago. They may have believed in a soul or spirit which lived on after death. This is the oldest known religious manifestation. Sometimes they put objects like jewellery or tools next to the corpse. These are called grave goods.
They probably practised magic rituals so their hunts would be successful. It is believed they held these in caves and probably regarded them as sacred places.
Cave paintings were done on cave walls in many places. The two regions which contain the most famous examples, of different styles and from different periods, are:
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| Bison in Altamira cave, Cantabria (left) and a hunting scene in the Cova dels Cavalls, Barranco de la Valltorta, Castellón | |
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Portable art (which could be carried from one place to another) consists of:
Activity 13
Look at the pictures which show how Paleolithic tools evolved. Do you think their evolution shows a parallel evolution in human intelligence? Explain your answer here.
Activity 14
Show the expansion of the homo species by dragging the names onto the map.
Activity 15
Think about how long the Paleolithic Period lasted. Do you think technology is advancing faster or more slowly as time passes?
Activity 16
Look at the objects in the picture as you listen to the audio. Write what each object is and which period it is from.
Activity 17
Find out more about one of the sites areas on the map in detail or choose a site near to where you live. If tools were found there which period were they from? Have any hominid remains been found there? Which species?
Activity 18
Fill in the blank spaces about the benefits of fire to Paleolithic man and woman.
Activity 19
Look at the illustration.
Activity 20
The groups of Paleolithic humans who didn't learn to make fire were smaller in number than those who did. Why do you think that was?
Activity 21
Write some reasons for the high mortality rate for Paleolithic humans.
Activity 22
What did the clans or tribes do when there was no fruit left to collect or animals to hunt?
Activity 23
How did the coordination needed to hunt contribute to the development of language?
Activity 24
Look at the Paleolithic Venuses on this page and answer the questions.
Activity 25
Look at the picture. Write how you think cave paintings were made.
Activity 26
Look at the Altamira and Valltorta paintings.
Activity 27
Write the answers.
Activity 28
Which object(s) would a man or a woman at that time use to:
