Life in the Paleolithic Era
Lifestyles of early prehistoric hunter gathers: Early
humans, more commonly known as ¨cavemen¨ had
little to no agricultural knowledge which is why they
were constantly moving and lived in small groups to
sustain their hunter gather lifestyles. They hunted or
gathered whatever was locally available to them.
Additionally, they had basic stone tools and basic fire
knowledge.
Prehistoric Timeline
Hunter Gatherer Lifestyle
Prehistoric humans were hunter gathers.
Due to the very limited to non existent
agricultural knowledge they were unable
to live in one place for long. They were
continually following their food sources
and moving. Always living in small
communities of less than 200 people.
They ate all types of meat, fish and plant
life. Once they mastered the ability to
control fire and craft better stone tools,
their daily caloric intake and lifestyle
improved.
Prehistoric Hunting
Prehistoric humans were able hunters.
They had the ability to hunt both large and
small prehistoric animals. Generally
speaking, the men were the hunters and
the women were the gathers. They had
primitive stone tools and weapons such as
spears, lances and very basic bows and
arrows. Slingshots were also commonly
used as weapons for hunting. They also
used basic fishing rods for catching and
eating fish of all kinds. They killed and ate
any locally available animals that would
help ensure their survival throughout the
year.
The role of women
• In Prehistoric society women were generally always the gatherers and the people
who raised the children. While they did not live in a fixed location for many years
at a time, women generally stayed within their small villages and only ventured
out to gather food and water. They were very adapt at basic stone tool making
and had basic knowledge of medicinal plants and all the skills they needed to
survive their harsh environment and provide for their families. Prehistoric
humans generally lived in wooden huts or caves.
Prehistoric Tools
Prehistoric humans used a variety of both stone and wooden tools in their daily lives. They
used tools for crafting their houses, for hunting, for preparing food and for making clothes and
things they needed on a daily basis. Once they mastered the use of fire, they were able to
make stronger more durable tools. They used these tools to help them survive their difficult
environment.
Prehistoric Weapons
Prehistoric humans had basic knowledge of how to make both stone and wooden weapons.
They used these weapons for both defensive purposes (to protect against wild animals or
other hostiles) and offensive hunting purposes to feed their families. The most common
weapons are featured above. They include the Spear, Bow, Stone Axe, Atlatl (similar to a
lance) and even a basic slingshot.
Prehistoric Cave Art
Early prehistoric humans had basic color knowledge and situational world awareness. They
also had basic drawing/color tools such as charcoal, chalk and basic paint brushes. They were
familiar enough with the world around them to be able to draw/paint accurate pictures of
the animals and plants that they encountered in their daily lives.
Prehistoric Fire Usage and Knowledge
Fire was discovered by prehistoric humans around 500,000- 900,000 BC (Before Christ). This
was a huge development in human history. It allowed prehistoric humans to increase their
caloric intake, control their environment, defend against predators, have warmth and light and
start to actually cook their food.
Prehistoric Society
• Due to being hunter gatherers and almost constantly moving to follow
their food sources, prehistoric humans very rarely lived in groups
above 200 people. Typically their social groups had between 20-50
people. Prehistoric humans did not settle in a fixed location until they
discovered agriculture in around 7000-8000 BC (Before Christ). It was
only then that the first proper cities developed because humans no
longer had the need to constantly be moving. Most commonly the
men were the hunters and the women were the gatherers of plants
and other small game and the keepers of the children.
Comprehension Questions
• 1. In your opinion what was the biggest major development in the
prehistoric age?
• 2. What type of society did prehistoric humans generally live in?
• 3. Name 3 different types of prehistoric tools and weapons
• 4. How did prehistoric humans produce cave art?
• 5. What was the general role of prehistoric women?
• 6. What kind of game did prehistoric humans hunt and how did they
do so?
• 7. In what general time did prehistoric humans live and when did they
go extinct (or otherwise evolve)?
Questions?
Any further questions please feel free to ask now.
Sources
• 1. https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/originals/4a/60/9f/4a609f9d98b11607cd9279d4584
73f9e.jpg
• 2. http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/Paleolithic-TheOld-Stone-Age-3.jpg
• 3. http://dailysignal.com/wp-content/uploads/caveman.jpg
• 4. https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/originals/da/a3/73/daa3736704ae8faf0a25934c46ab
855a.jpg
• 5. https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/736x/73/dc/74/73dc743d96d3d0f3b45f40b937c933
c9.jpg
Sources Cont.
• 6. http://images.en.yibada.com/data/images/full/34497/prehistorichunter-gatherers-in-the-usa.jpg
• 7. https://nelemitar.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/prehistoricweapon-collection.jpg?w=800&h=437
• 8. https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/originals/5c/58/a6/5c58a6f85309f63b09a92913fc64
6aa8.jpg
• 9.
http://cdn.thinglink.me/api/image/578659976201895936/1240/10/s
caletowidth
• 10. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GS2mtgDyNjQ/maxresdefault.jpg
• 11. https://www.segurohealthandsafety.co.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2016/07/any-questions.jpg