Paleolithic Era
The earliest people lived during the Old Stone Age. The period is also called the Paleolithic Era. The Paleolithic Period began more than 2,000,000 years ago. These people were nomads. In order to find food, the Paleolithic people often had to move from place to place, hunting and gathering. Because of the lack of food and the constant moving, populations tended to be small. These people usually died at a very early age because of hunger, disease, or injury.
Early people were quite smart. They developed tools that made life easier for them. They were simple tools but they were able to use stones, sticks, bones and other things to make weapons for hunting and defense. Although these were prehistoric times, they left cave paintings behind. These paintings have helped us understand the lives and religious beliefs of these people. (Click here to see paintings.) In order to communicate, Paleolithic Man developed a very simple language that usually consisted of simple grunts or babbles. Today we would say that their language was similar to the early language of a baby. At some point, early man discovered fire and that it could be used for cooking, light and warmth. Over time they even discovered ways to make fire.
When Paleolithic people had a successful hunt, they would use every part of the animal they killed. They would use the meat for food, the skins for clothing, and the bones for tools or weapons. If they were unable to find the shelter of a cave, they might also use the bones and skins to make simple huts.
Paleolithic People also developed religious beliefs. They believed in animism, where all living things had spirits. They also believed in life after death and because of this they took special care in burying their dead. To ensure that their dead would have what they needed in the afterlife they would often bury their dead with food, tools, and weapons.
Because populations were small, both men and women were important in these early societies. It is believed that men were probably the leaders of these little tribes. The eldest man ruled until his death. At that point power would move to the next oldest male. Women, however, had the most important roles during this time period. They had the important role of carrying on life and for the most part they were more successful in finding food. They were the “gatherers.” They found nuts and berries while the men hunted. Most times the men were unsuccessful in finding food while the women weren’t.
Early people were quite smart. They developed tools that made life easier for them. They were simple tools but they were able to use stones, sticks, bones and other things to make weapons for hunting and defense. Although these were prehistoric times, they left cave paintings behind. These paintings have helped us understand the lives and religious beliefs of these people. (Click here to see paintings.) In order to communicate, Paleolithic Man developed a very simple language that usually consisted of simple grunts or babbles. Today we would say that their language was similar to the early language of a baby. At some point, early man discovered fire and that it could be used for cooking, light and warmth. Over time they even discovered ways to make fire.
When Paleolithic people had a successful hunt, they would use every part of the animal they killed. They would use the meat for food, the skins for clothing, and the bones for tools or weapons. If they were unable to find the shelter of a cave, they might also use the bones and skins to make simple huts.
Paleolithic People also developed religious beliefs. They believed in animism, where all living things had spirits. They also believed in life after death and because of this they took special care in burying their dead. To ensure that their dead would have what they needed in the afterlife they would often bury their dead with food, tools, and weapons.
Because populations were small, both men and women were important in these early societies. It is believed that men were probably the leaders of these little tribes. The eldest man ruled until his death. At that point power would move to the next oldest male. Women, however, had the most important roles during this time period. They had the important role of carrying on life and for the most part they were more successful in finding food. They were the “gatherers.” They found nuts and berries while the men hunted. Most times the men were unsuccessful in finding food while the women weren’t.