Ancient Societies Paleolithic

Set 1

Turkana Boy

1.5 Million BP in Kenya. The most complete early hominin skeleton ever found. He is believed to have belonged to the species Homo erectus and provides valuable insights into early human development.

Blombos Cave

South Africa. Significant archeological site near the coastline. Contains 8000 Fragments of ochre and is one of the earliest examples of art. The site dates back to approximately 75,000 years ago and provides evidence of early human behavior and cognitive development.

Neanderthals

Our closest evolutionary relatives (shared an ancestor 600,000 years ago). Interbred with early modern humans and had distinct cultural traits such as tool use and burial practices.

Modern Humans/Homo Sapiens

Anatomically modern humans that emerged around 300,000 years ago. They are characterized by a high forehead, rounded skull, and capacity for complex language and culture.

Migration of Homo sapiens

First appeared in Africa but migrated to SW Asia around 100k years ago. They spread across Europe, Asia, and eventually to Australia and the Americas, adapting to diverse environments. Reasons: Climate change, population pressures, exploration, following game.

Ice Age World (Pleistocene)

60,000-15,000 years ago. Vast Ice sheets covered northern latitudes. Sea levels 100m lower than today. Big game animals roamed the land, and early humans adapted their hunting strategies to survive in this harsh environment.

Upper Paleolithic Europe

The final phase of the Paleolithic era, occurring around 35000 years ago, marked by advancements in tool technology, art production, and complex social structures among prehistoric humans.

Venus Figurines

Small prehistoric statuettes of women found across Europe, dating from the Upper Paleolithic, often believed to symbolize fertility or the feminine.

Sungir, Russia (burials)

Prehistoric burial site featuring elaborate grave goods and unique burial rites, dating to the Upper Paleolithic, including complex graves with offerings such as tools, jewelry, and ochre, indicating social status and belief systems. Specifically, a burial of 2 young boys found together with extensive ceremonial items, suggesting a rich culture and beliefs surrounding death (27000BP).

Dolni Vestonice (Czech Republic)

Burial of three individuals, one with a congenital deformity. All were male ages 16-20. The site is notable for its earliest known use of ceramic objects, dating to the Upper Paleolithic, and provides insights into social and ritual practices of prehistoric groups.

First Domestication of Dogs

The process by which humans began to selectively breed dogs for desired traits, leading to agriculture and settled societies. Began sometime between 32,000-19,000 years ago. 99% of DNA shared with gray wolves.

Niah Cave, Borneo

An important archaeological site known for its animal remains, stone tools, and evidence of early habitation dating back at least 40,000 years. The site provides valuable insights into the life and culture of prehistoric populations in Southeast Asia.

Clovis Technology

A prehistoric tool-making tradition characterized by distinctive fluted projectile points. It emerged around 13,000 years ago and is associated with early hunter-gatherer societies in North America. Clovis were thought to be the earliest people in the Americas but evidence now says otherwise.

Peopling of the New World

After 18,000BP (controversial), Siberia and Alaska connected by a land bridge. Recession of glaciers led to opening up of “ice-free corridor”. Paleoamericans moved along the route to follow game. South America colonized by at least 15000BP.

Lion Figurine

Carved from ivory tusk c 40,000BP.

Cave Art

Depictions of humans, hunting scenes, animalsand abstract symbols created in prehistoric caves, often using natural pigments.

Chauvet Cave

A significant prehistoric site in France, featuring some of the world's oldest known cave paintings, dated to around 30,000-32,000 years ago, depicting a variety of animals (often in combat) and human-like figures. Hand print from the same human found multiple times at the site. Painted over a series of 10,000 years.