Paleolithic Era
What does “hunter-gatherer” mean?
People who hunted animals and gathered wild plants for food.
What major discovery began the Neolithic Era?
Farming (agriculture)
What is the Neolithic Revolution?
The shift from foraging to farming—huge change in human life.
What is one main difference in how Paleolithic and Neolithic people got food?
Paleolithic: hunted and gathered; Neolithic: farmed and raised animals.
Where did humans first appear?
Africa.
Why was the control of fire so important?
It provided warmth, protection, and a way to cook food.
What does “domestication” mean?
Taming plants and animals for human use.
Why was metallurgy important?
It allowed for stronger tools and weapons.
What kind of homes did people live in during each era?
Paleolithic: temporary shelters; Neolithic: permanent houses.
What allowed humans to migrate to new environments?
Control of fire and use of tools.
What did early humans use stone tools for?
Cutting, hunting, and preparing food.
What did surplus food lead to?
Population growth and trade.
How did controlling fire change human survival?
It helped humans adapt to new climates and protect themselves.
Which era had more free time, and why?
Neolithic—surplus food allowed specialized jobs and leisure.
What physical changes gave humans a survival advantage?
Larger brains, opposable thumbs, bipedalism.
What did cave art tell us about Paleolithic people?
They expressed ideas, told stories, and recorded their lives. (communication)
Why did people begin living in permanent settlements?
Because they could grow and store food in one place.
What happened when humans learned to farm and store food?
Populations grew, and villages developed.
Which era was nomadic and which was settled?
Paleolithic: nomadic; Neolithic: settled.
How did the development of culture help human survival?
It built community, shared knowledge, and cooperation.
How did developing language help early humans?
It allowed them to cooperate, plan, and teach one another.
Name one specialized job that developed in the Neolithic Era.
Examples: farmer, potter, weaver, blacksmith or toolmaker.
Why do historians call the Neolithic Revolution a “revolution”?
It completely transformed how humans lived, worked, and ate.
How did roles in society change between the two eras?
Paleolithic: everyone helped gather food; Neolithic: people had specialized jobs.
Why are the Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras important to study?
They show how humans evolved and developed civilization.