The Paleolithic Age, also known as the Stone Age, was the beginning of human history, inventions, discoveries, and many more new necessities.With the very first evidence of tool construction, the Paleolithic Age began. This age existed 2.58 million years ago.In 2015, a researcher while excavating a dry riverbed in Kenya found an Old Age Stone that was later claimed to be 3.5 million years old. However, they claim that this is when the Paleolithic period began. The Paleolithic period is considered to be old and primitive, but this is when the very first discoveries and inventions began.You might be wondering what people at that age were called? They were called ‘The Homo’. The Hominins were grouped into Paleolithic groups or small societies, and they survived by gathering plants or hunting wild animals and fish. But with time, they learned new things and invented new tools according to their necessities.As humans evolved, they learned more about language, art, science, and spirituality. They used stones to create simple tools. The Earth experienced interglacial and glacial periods during the Stone Age, which included climate fluctuations between hot and cold temperatures.This is when they first discovered the use of fire.Hominins, the Early Stone Age humans, barely survived by gathering wild plants, scavenging, and cooking over fire. But, did you ever wonder how they did that? The most common perception of people of the Paleolithic Age is that of ape-like humans walking with big sticks to hunt. However, it was more complex than just a big stick. They picked selected stones and carved them sharply to use as tools, which was the greatest invention of all time. And thus, this period was named: ‘The Stone Age’.Stone tools were perhaps the first and biggest inventions of the Paleolithic period. These basic tools that were made years ago still exist in modern form.Apart from stone tools, the Paleolithic Age was also known for other innovations. Paleolithic homos were very creative, and this period also marked the beginning of human interest in creative art forms like sculpture, paintings, and carved designs on cave walls. This was the age when the greatest inventions took place, which sustained the wheel of time. Fire, clothing, shelter, food, the basic necessities of modern humans were discovered in this age.The Paleolithic Age stretched for a long period, and it is divided into three periods according to its inventions: Lower, Middle, and Upper. However, these periods were further divided into subdivisions. The lower Paleolithic was characterized by the invention of pebble tools, the middle Paleolithic was based on fire invention, and lastly, the Upper Paleolithic Age saw the innovation of more sophisticated bone tools, which lasted for at least 40,000 years.Once you have finished reading this article, why not discover the facts about the Paleolithic Age tools, and Paleolithic houses here on Kidadl?Discoveries Of The Paleolithic AgeWe live in this modern world where everything is just a click away, but have you ever wondered what life would be like without these innovations? There was a time when people lived without these amenities. In fact, they didn’t even have access to basic things like clean water or cooked food!Talking about this era, the word itself has a hidden meaning. Paleolithic is a word derived from the Greek language. The word ‘paleo’, means ‘old’, and ’lithos’, means ‘stone’. That is why it is also called the Old Stone Age.The study of early humans was based on biological factors. The hominins were not only cavemen who were worried about their next meal of raw materials, but they were way more complex. Based on archaeological and anthropological evidence, hominins evolved into Homo habilis, then to Homo erectus, thereafter into Homo neanderthalensis, and finally into Homo sapiens, which is now known as modern humans.Between 70,000 and 100,000 years ago, Homo sapiens began migrating. While moving, they discovered many continents and countries. In research, it was found that hominins initially lived in South Africa due to dry weather. However, while migrating, they discovered North America, Europe, and other places.At the end of the day, today’s wonders are the result of a million years of invention and evolution. It was about 2-5 million years ago when humankind started to see itself in a different light from the other species on the planet. They thereafter learned about other ways to utilize natural resources. However, with time, new ideas kept flowing, and this led to multiple inventions that resulted in modern civilization.Technology In The Ancient WorldThe Paleolithic period began nearly 2.5 million years ago, with the discovery of archaeological records and evidence of early human technology. This period continued until the beginning of the Ice Age and then the Neolithic Revolution began, which included the settlement of humans in villages and the domestication of plants and animals.As discussed earlier, the Paleolithic era was divided into three periods according to the progression of hand tools and technologies. It is a window to the deep past. Let’s explore more of these periodic innovations chronologically:Technology In Lower Paleolithic: A momentous step towards human evolution happened nearly 2.5 million years ago. With the emergence of stone tools like simple core tools and sharp flakes, humans could easily slice through the thick hides of large-bodied animals. It was not only the tools, but human bodies also underwent huge developments in terms of brain expansion and changes in social and behavioral ecologies.These changes gained momentum and were followed by the making of large cutting tools made of stone. Tool technology evolved about 100,000 years ago to produce bifacial tools like hand axes and antler hammers. However, the records disclosed say that 40,000 years ago, two more technologies were also discovered. These technologies include wooden spears and the use of fire. Technology In Middle Paleolithic: The Middle Stone Age is related to the emergence of technologies for human adaptation and cumulative culture about 300,000 years ago. The lower period was all about trial-and-error technologies, but the middle period was about highly sophisticated technologies. The Middle Paleolithic was the era of cultural adaption that brought rapid change in human evolution. This adaptation includes the earliest evidence of jewelry, small razor-like geometric flakes, and Paleolithic tools. Perhaps these technologies crafted stone tools like scrapers, stone points, bone tools, miniature hand axes, copper axes, elongated picks, and the widespread adoption of hafting techniques.Technology In Upper Paleolithic: As Homo sapiens became more sophisticated, which was about 100,000–70,000 years ago, technologies began to flicker from their origin. Sophisticated technologies facilitated the rapid population growth that resulted in the expansion of the range of habitats. Through cultural adaption, they learned more about themselves and utilized natural resources for manufacturing. Homo sapiens thereafter prepared new technologies like spears, harpoons, or knives and used them as fish hooks, harpoon tips, and tiny sewing needles. However, these were not exclusively made up of stone but also of bones and ivories.Besides the evolution in technology, the human body of the Hominins also began to routinely evolve to adapt to complex challenges like long arms, hairier bodies, brain expansion, and more.Early Artistic TalentWith the migration and evolution of Homo sapiens, they produced the first works of Paleolithic art. During the Upper Paleolithic period, two main forms of art were introduced, which are still appreciated in this modern world: small sculptures and monumental cave paintings and designs. Between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago, these talents were introduced in southwest Europe. Also, years ago, early human’s greatest invention was the invention of projectile points such as scrapers, fishing hooks, and sewing tools made out of bones, stones, and metals.The small sculptures were traced in eastern and northern Europe by the archaeologists. These sculptures were mainly small and portable clay figurines. They also used stone, bones, and ivory to carve these sculptures.Cave paintings, incised designs, and paintings of cavemen were part of monumental art. The art flourished in western Europe and in the province of France. The main purpose of creating such paintings was to communicate. But later, it became an art form and a piece of decoration. The art includes an incised painting depicting nature and exquisite designs. The evidence of making a flute with bones and ivories with five finger holes carved into them was also found 10,000 years ago.Agriculture And TransportThe most common materials used for making tools in the Upper Paleolithic Age were stone, bone, and metal. While migrating, the Homo sapiens moved towards Greece, where the Ancient Mesopotamians used these tools for various purposes like farming, sculpting, building, and more. Ancient Mesopotamians evolved from being hunter-gatherers to sophisticated farmers. Early tools like ‘plowshare’ were used for digging deeper into the soil. Elsewhere, in the region of drier climates of North Africa and Spain, the Romans’ irrigation system was invented. Although the irrigation was done by the use of an Archimedean screw and an animal or water-powered scoop wheel to raise water.Along with agriculture, the idea of transportation also occurred. The item produced needed to be shipped to different places in large quantities. This gave them the idea of sailing ships. The Greek sailing ship was well fitted with a rectangular sail to follow the wind. However, they gave more attention to road transportation than sea transport. Well-aligned roads were constructed. The road served several purposes and created a network among various provinces.Disease And WaterAgricultural life made it possible for the early human species to construct villages, cities, and roads, all of which were dependent on water. This created a great relationship between humans and water. But contaminated water from agricultural fields created health risks too. Water-borne infections became the main cause of death. Diseases like malaria, blackwater fever, and schistosomiasis were caused by the contamination of water. Thus, the mortality rate of children increased rapidly in the Ice Age.These diseases brought concern about how to purify water and cure diseases. Initially, the quality of water was examined by the senses: taste, smell, appearance, and temperature. With time and several tests, they discovered ways to treat water and kill parasites in it. Ancient Mesopotamians used to boil water to purify and restore it. It is, however, quite safe to conclude that, despite the impressive measures used to obtain pure potable water, the Paleolithic Era had serious public health problems.Later, water supply and sewage systems were developed in Europe. Archaeologists have also found hundreds of ancient wells, water pipes, and toilets constructed in the Neolithic Age.The Paleolithic Age was the beginning of human history. It was the beginning of inventions and discoveries, most of which we still use in our daily lives. From fire to agriculture to permanent settlements, it was the Paleolithic Age that set the course for the human species some million years ago!Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Paleolithic Age inventions then why not take a look at Paleolithic age facts or Paleolithic clothing.
The Paleolithic Age, also known as the Stone Age, was the beginning of human history, inventions, discoveries, and many more new necessities.
