Paleolithic and Neolithic - Responsible for who we are today….

The importance of Paleolithic and Neolithic peoples is often overlooked. Because there was no written word or contemporary historical recording, scientists have had to work together to piece the intricate and long history of this era of people. Botanists, linguists, anthropologists, demographers and archeologists have just recently been able to draw a clearer picture of these fascinating people.

Starting in Africa, human-like peoples began to branch out into different areas of the region. Using stone blades and points their tools began to have specific uses. They began to purposely hunt and fish and plan settlements around seasonal animal migratory patterns. There is also evidence to show they were beginning to communicate with other groups up to 200 miles away.

Migration out of Africa began and humans first went to the Middle East and westward to Europe (France and Spain). This is also when the first historical art record was made in the form of cave paintings.

Most Paleolithic and Neolithic societies were organized in small banded groups of up to 30 people. Because of food supplies and shelter were scarce they were not able to sustain larger groups. However, this did not mean that they were 'impoverished' or barely able to live. They were able to work fewer hours to meet the needs of the families and groups.

The last Ice Age ended between 16,000 and 10,000 years ago. This let the Paleolithic people begin to settle in certain areas where new plants and animals were able to survive due to the ice melt. Settled and established communities began to pop up which also placed a new demand on environment and the need for sustainable food practices. This led to planned agriculture. Certain plants became dependent on human intervention to grow and the domestication (taming) of animals for the benefit of humankind became prominent.

An interesting point about the Neolithic or 'Agricultural Revolution' was the idea that it happened at about the same time all over the earth with all different groups of people. Because of the natural global warming all humans were exercising their knowledge of the plants and animals around them and then using that knowledge to harness and change patterns to sustain their communities.

The movements of these early people are the foundation for today's societies, our relationship with the earth, use of the earth, dominion over animals and the need for self preservation are all the same issues we still deal with in today's society.