Cultural evolution

what is the difference between cultural and biological evolution?

Biological is changes in genetic info passed down from one generation to the next. It is slower, determined at birth and random. Cultural evolution is the development of learned behaviour as it is passed down from one generation to the next. It is faster, passed down from anyone and can develop throughout lifetime.

from oldest to newest tool culture

oldowan, acheulian, mousterian, upper paleolithic, mesolthic, neolithic

describe oldowan tool culture

The Oldowan tool culture, 2 million years ago used by Homo habilis, very simple stone tools made by striking pebbles a few times to create sharp flakes. These tools were used to crack bones for marrow, cut meat, and break up tough plants. This was important because it gave early humans more energy and protein, made it safer to eat meat away from predators, and helped them access a wider range of food.

describe acheulean tool culture

The Acheulean tool culture-1 million years ago and is linked to Homo erectus. It involved using hard and soft hammers to shape stone (like flint or basalt) into tear-drop shaped handaxes worked on both sides. These more advanced tools were used for digging roots, cutting meat, and possibly hunting or defence. They improved food access, increased energy intake, and made survival and scavenging safer.

describe mousterian tool culture

The Mousterian tool culture (about 200,000-40,000 years ago) is linked mainly to Homo neanderthalensis and early Homo sapiens. It used advanced flint tools made with the Levallois technique to create sharp flakes and points. These tools were used for cutting meat, scraping hides, and making spearheads and sewing tools. This improved hunting, allowed basic clothing, helped survival in cold climates, and increased food and protection.

describe upper paleolithic tool culture

The Upper Paleolithic tool culture began around 50,000 years ago and is linked to Homo sapiens. It involved very advanced tools made with many materials like stone, bone, wood, and antler, often using blade techniques to produce sharp, specialised tools and even tools for making other tools. These were used for hunting, cutting meat, scraping hides, sewing clothing, making fishing gear, and using spear-throwers. This improved clothing, hunting success, diet, survival in cold environments, and also led to early art and more complex social behaviour.

describe mesolithic tool culture

The Mesolithic tool culture (about 12,000-3,000 years ago) is linked to Homo sapiens. It used a wide range of materials and focused on small stone flakes called microliths, which could be quickly replaced and combined into larger tools like arrows and spears. These tools were used for hunting, cutting meat, scraping hides, sewing, fishing, and making traps. This made tools easier to repair and adapt, improved hunting methods (especially with bows and arrows), and allowed more efficient food gathering and survival in different environments.

describe neolithic tool culture

The Neolithic tool culture began around 8,000 years ago and is linked to Homo sapiens. It involved very advanced tools made from stone, wood, bone, and clay, often shaped by polishing and drilling. A key change was the development of farming tools after the start of agriculture and domestication. This supported farming lifestyles, improved food production, and led to more specialised jobs and early social differences.

When was the first known usage of fire?

evidence of fire 1MYA, evidence of controlling fire 400KYA. Erectus hypothesized to be first to use fire

Benefits of fire

More time, light source means more active during the night

increased social interaction, time around fire would strengthen social bonds

Warmth, fire provided warmth in colder regions such as Europe

cooking food, allowed for easier digestion, less time chewing, more efficient calorie intake and killed pathogens in raw meat

protection, fire can be used to ward off predators

Tool construction, fire was used in tool construction by heating wooden spears to produce sharp points, heating stone to make sharper edges and making glue from resin to make more effective tools such as spears.

risks of fire

Burning the environment, destroys resources

Burn injuries

Attracts competition from rival tribes

making fire was a tiring labor process