Neolithic and Paleolithic Era Study Guide

Paleolithic:

• Hunter Gatherers: 

  • Hunting animals and gathering wild plants

  • Clans of 10-50

  • Egalitarianism; Social Equality

• Nomadism

  • Nomads: Groups that moves frequently

  • Reasons for Migration: Climate change, food resources, population growth, curiosity

  • Challenges: Natural Barriers

• Complex tool use

  • STONE TOOLS, FIRE, animal skin clothing

• Spoken Language

• Culture

• Art

  • Depicts animals and hunting

  • Figurines related to fertility and female symbolism

  • Cave Paintings

• Adaptable

• Social Structures

Neolithic:

• Revolution

  • Separates the Neolithic and Paleolithic Eras

• Agriculture

  • Effects: Growing own food, raising animals, permanent settlements, local economy, jobs

• Domestication

  • Farmers select desirable traits by breeding

  • Pros: Physical labor, variety of products, woven goods

  • Cons: Animals carry infectious diseases

• Settlements

  • Main lifestyle in Neolithic period

  • Primary sources: provide direct access to a topic; come from person who witnessed event

  • Secondary source: describes the primary source

  • Cultural Hearths: Settlement that features new ideas, practices, and tech

  • Cons of settlement: Natural disasters, flooding, human conflict, diseases

  • 4 Major Settlements: Catalhoyuk, Stone Henge, Jericho, Aleppo