Key Ideas

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Paleolithic/Neolithic Study Guide

Vocabulary:

Prehistory – the time before recorded written

events of people

Archaeologist – a scientist who examines bones,

tools, structures, and other objects to learn about peoples and cultures

Oral tradition – stories that are passed down through

generations by word of mouth

Nomad – a person who has no single, settled

home. S/he wanders from place to place usually in search of food.

Fertile – land or soil that contains

substances plants need in order to grow well.

Domesticate – to tame animals and raise them to be

used by humans. Dogs were domesticated by early humans.

Surplus – more of a thing or product than is

needed.

Artisan – a worker who is especially skilled in making something,

such as baskets, leather goods, tools, jewelry, pottery, or clothing.

History-The recorded events

of people.

Fossils-Traces of living things such as plant

impressions, bones, or foot impressions found embedded in stone.

Key Ideas

Most of human prehistory took place during the

Paleolithic Era

Early people were hunter and gathers.(they

followed the animals in a constant search for food–(NOMADS)

They are believed to have first appeared in

East Africa.

Africa’s dry climate preserved many of the

artifacts and fossils helping scientists to better understand the story of

early humans

They used wood and stone tools for weapons, cooking, and

other work

Discovery of fire

allowed early humans to move to and

live in colder climates

protected them from predators

cooked food making it healthier to eat and

easier to digest

Woolly Mammoths

Giant elephant like creatures that humans

would hunt

Humans would use every part of the mammoth

for food, clothing, tools and weapons

Ice Age-A period of time where much of the Earth was covered in ice and

huge moving ice rivers called glaciers

When the last Ice Age ended, ice melted

leaving fertile river valleys carved out by glaciers

Neolithic Era begins about 11,000 years ago

A “Turning Point” in human history

People planted wild grass and created a stable

food supply

Farming led to people having more food than they needed(SURPLUS).

People no longer had to be nomadic

They became sedentary(able to stay in one

place)

As a result of farming, populations grew,

people developed new skills(ARTISANS) and civilizations began to

emerge.