O Paleolithic Period or Chipped Stone Age it is the first period of Prehistory and, together with the Neolithic, make up the so-called “Stone Age”, since stone was the main raw material used in the making of tools. Note that the Paleolithic term means “old stone age” while Neolithic means “new stone age”.
Caves used in the Paleolithic Period, located in the region of Matera, Italy
The Paleolithic Period, considered one of the longest in history, (from the beginning of humanity, around 4.4 million years until 8000 BC. C.) covers about 99% of the time of existence of human society, being divided into two moments:
- Lower Paleolithic (2000000 to 40000 a. Ç.)
- Upper Paleolithic (40000 to 10000 a. Ç.)
Prehistory
THE prehistory is the first period of human history and is divided into three moments:
- Paleolithic Period or Chipped Stone Age (from the appearance of humanity, that is, the first hominids, until 10000 BC. Ç.)
- Neolithic Period or Polished Stone Age (from 8000 to Ç. up to 5000 a. Ç.);
- Age of Metals (3,300 a. Ç. to 1200 a. Ç.)
Main Features: Summary
During this period, the first tools were developed (knives, axes, harpoons, spears, bows, arrows, hooks), although there was not much sophistication in the production technique. They used the tools in everyday life, for example, to collect fruits, roots, build small shelters or kill an animal.
Stone was the main raw material used and, unlike the Neolithic period (the age of polished stone), the Paleolithic represents the age of the chipped stone, a name that indicates the incipience and simplicity of the techniques used. The instruments of the Paleolithic consisted of stones, wood, bones and horns.
Nomadism was one of the main characteristics of the Paleolithic man who walked most of his life in search of shelter and food. The men, who usually lived in bands, were hunters and gatherers, since agriculture and grazing they only appeared in the later (Neolithic) period, when individuals began to cultivate the land and domesticate animals.
Thus, since the man of that period did not produce food, that is, they did not plant or raise animals, the The basis of their diet was the animals they hunted, the fish they fished and the collection of grain, roots and fruits; for this reason, Paleolithic men are classified as "hunter-gatherers."
They did not build houses, they lived in caves to protect themselves from the elements (frost, rain, storms, etc.) as well as animals. Undoubtedly, the greatest discovery made in this period was fire, after all, with it men could cook their food, keep warm and even drive away dangerous animals.
Certainly, fire control was one of the greatest achievements of this period. First, fire was found in a natural way, that is, by lightning from the storm. Later they discovered another method, through friction between stones or pieces of wood, which produced sparks.
Inserted in a hostile climate with accentuated climatic changes, the Paleolithic man began to develop techniques of protection for the body, that is, clothing, produced largely from animal skins.
See too: Fire
Art in the Paleolithic Period
Art in the Paleolithic covers paintings made on rocks inside caves, called rock art and parenting art. There is a realistic and naturalistic character in the paintings, expressed by the figures of men and animals, as well as in the composition of abstract figures.
Learn more at:
- Art in the Paleolithic Period
- Art in Prehistory
- Prehistory: characteristics and periods
