Hunter-Gatherer Societies Key ¢ Thedevelopment of new Modern humans and Ide: skills allowed hunter- Neanderthals both appeared "AS ~—_gatherer societies to survive. __late in the Stone Age. Key Terms «hunter-gatherer technology culture» nomad Visual Glossary Reading Skill Analyze Cause and Effect Take notes ( Using the graphic organizer in your journal. EY” humans were hunter-gatherers, which means that they lived Peseta ay JF by hunting small animals and gathering plants. In this section, fae ere Fant rnin you will read about the societies that these people formed and the plays. Although they are based developments that improved their chances for sur vival. ‘on archaeological evidence, we ‘cannot be sure what Stone Age people really looked like. We do How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived Sy oy ee “Archaeologists know very little about how early hunter-gatherers miner such as Lucy lived. But they do know that their lives were often harsh. ‘Many groups appeared for a time and died out. To survive and grow, early humans developed technology, tools and skills that people use to meet their needs and wants. The Development of Tools About 2.5 million years ago, early humans learned how to make tools out of stone. This technology was so important to human survival that archaeologists cal this period the Paleolithic Era, or the Old Stone Age. (Lhe word Paleolithic comes from Greek words meaning “old” and “stone”) The Paleolithic Era lasted from about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. Yagi At first, the tools made by early humans were simple. Toolmakers split stones to make cutting tools for chopping down small trees, cut- g meat, or scraping animal skins clean.Seen Over time, toolmakers became more skillful, making thinner and sharper stone blades. Some blades were used to tip spears and arrows. Toolmakers also began making weapons from bones and antlers. As their skills and weapons improved, Paleolithic hunters were able to turn from hunting small animals to hunting larger animals such as deer. The Use of Fire At some time during the Paleolithic Era, peaple also learned how to use fire, Making fire was a technology that had many different uses. With fire, people could have light on dark nights, ‘They could cook meat and plants, and use flames to scare off dangerous animals. ‘Making fire also had important long- term effects. Here, a British archaeologi explains why learning to control fire was an important step in human develop- ment. (Like many earlier writers, the ‘ archaeologist uses the term man to refer f to humankind): The control of fire was presumably the first great step in man’s [freedom from the bondage of his environment... Man iso longer restricted in his movement toa limited range of climates, and his er activities need not be entirely determined by the sun’s light. But in mastery of fire rman was controling a mighty physical force. A Early stone tools, were very simple, but they helped =V. Gordon Childe, Man Makes Himself hunter gatherers survive, These Fire made it possible for hunter-gatherers tools may have to live in places where it would have oth- eee e erwise been too cold to survive. eee 65 fay 2 Fl iE Gy my cs =| ryelement, n, basic part of awhole Wandering Bands ‘The culture of early societies was simple. Culture includes the many different elements that make up the way of life of a people. Elements of culture include social and family orga- nization, beliefs and values, technology, shelter and clothing, common activities, storytelling, rituals, and art. Stone Age hunter-gatherers lived in small groups, or bands. A typical band included ten or twelve adults and their children, Many of these people were nomads, people who move from place to place with the seasons. After gathering as much food as they could in one area, they moved on to a new campsite. These wan- dering bands sometimes used caves as shelters. More ofien, they built temporary huts out of branches or tents from animal skins, another major advance in technology. Hunter-gatherers spent many hours each day looking for food. Men and boys generally did the hunting. Women and girls usually gathered fruit, grains, seeds, and nuts. They collected eggs and honey and caught small animals such as lizards or fish. They also may have picked herbs for medicine. Reading Check What technology helped Paleolithic humans survive? Later Stone Age Peoples ‘Toward the end of the Paleolithic Era, two groups of larger-brained humans appeared. Both groups had more devel- oped cultures than earlier peoples. However, only one of these groups would survive past the Stone Age. Reena kee cad Homo sapiens and Neanderthals both + made hunting tools * used fire * buried their dead * had large brains * lived in the same regions about 30,000 to 40,000 years ago Neanderthals + first appeared about 200,000 years ago ‘had short, sturdy skeletons Homo sapiens + first appeared about 100,000 years ago + had taller, simmer bodies + had complex language skills + made art and music ‘shad only very simple language skills ‘made no art or music «+ had simple burial practices + had more complex burial practices 66Neanderthals A group known as Neanderthals appeared in Europe and parts of Asia about 200,000 years ago. ‘Their name comes from the Neander ‘Valley in present-day Germany, where their fossil remains were first found. Some archaeologists believe that the Neanderthals were the first people to bury their dead. Remains of flowers and other objects in burial sites may be evi- dence that Neanderthals carefully buried bodies and may have believed in life after death. Other archaeologists, however, disagree. Even if Neanderthals did bury their dead, their burial practices were much simpler than those of later people. Modern Humans About 100,000 years ago, the last new group of humans appeared. The scientific name of this, group is Homo sapiens, which means “wise people” Homo sapiens were the first modern humans—or people like us. ‘These people were like Neanderthals, in some ways. Both groups made tools, used fire, and hunted animals. But mod- Section 2 Assessment Key Terms 11. How did early hunter- gatherers get what they needed to survive? 2. Give two examples of Paleolithic technology. Key Ideas 4. How di Era get its name? society organized’ 3. What are some of the elements that make up a culture? the Paleolithic 5. How was Paleolithic 6. How did Neanderthals ‘and Homo sapiens differ from earlier people? ern humans were taller and less muscu- lar. They also developed a powerful new skill—complex language. ‘The ability to form words is probably not a skill that Neanderthals had. One scientist who has studied the remains of Neanderthals claims they made a sound resembling a frog’s croak or a burp. Homo sapiens, on the other hand, did have the ability to form words. Having a'shared language gave them a great advantage in the struggle to survive. They could organize a hunt, warn of danger, or pass knowledge and skills on to their young. For thousands of years, Neanderthals and modern humans lived near each other, but the Neanderthals eventually disappeared. Some archaeologists believe they fought with the newcomers and Jost, while others think the groups mixed together. Whatever the cause, there is no fossil evidence of Neanderthals in Europe after about 28,000 years ago. Reading Check What skill gave modern humans an advantage over Neanderthals? complex, adj. having ‘many related parts; not simple myWorld Activity Get Yours Now C Wienke Think Critically “So do you think was the most important skill ? developed by hunter- gatherers? Explain your 8. Solve Problems How might Neanderthals have communicated without the ability to speak? What are the 7. Draw Conclusions What consequences of technology? 9. Choose one technologi- ‘al advance from this section. How did that ‘technology benefit Stone Age people? How ‘could that technol- ‘ogy have unexpected results? Go to your, Student Journal to record your answer. 67 fal Ei ES s = a i