Introduction to the Paleolithic

When we think of the Paleolithic, what usually comes to mind? Primitive people with limited speech and prominent jaws, or perhaps animated films such as Gogs, The Flintstones, or Ice Age? Unlike the Gogs family, Paleolithic people did not ride or wrestle dinosaurs, as dinosaurs no longer existed at that time. And unlike Fred Flintstone, they did not read newspapers — written language had not yet been invented. So, what was life really like during the Stone Age, also known as the Paleolithic?

The word Paleolithic comes from the Greek words palaios (παλαιός), meaning “old,” and lithos (λίθος), meaning “stone.” The term was introduced by John Lubbock in the 19th century. The Paleolithic period began with the first appearance of hominins and ended around 10,000 BC, roughly coinciding with the end of the last Ice Age.

Division of the Paleolithic:

Lower Paleolithic: c. 2.5 million years ago – 200,000 years ago
Middle Paleolithic: c. 200,000 years ago – 40,000 years ago
Upper Paleolithic: c. 40,000 years ago – 10,000 years ago

The reason why scientists named the oldest Paleolithic period the Lower Paleolithic and the youngest the Upper Paleolithic lies in the organization of sedimentary layers. These layers are typically arranged so that the youngest sediments are closest to the surface (Upper Paleolithic finds), while the oldest layers are deeper underground (Lower Paleolithic finds). The science that studies the earliest material remains of humans is called archaeology. It examines artefacts left by our ancestors, as well as the skeletal remains that belonged to them. The earliest evidence of such artefacts dates to around 2.6 million years ago. Now, let us move on to some less academic aspects of the Stone Age. Popular culture, such as Gogs and Ice Age that depicts how Paleolithic people lived — but how accurate are these portrayals?

It is a known fact that Paleolithic people were nomadic, and their daily activities consisted of gathering plant foods, scavenging, and hunting. For this reason, many material remains have been preserved in caves. However, this does not mean that Paleolithic people lived exclusively in caves; rather, caves often served as temporary shelters. They lived mostly in open landscapes, where material remains such as stone or bone tools, traces of camps, or carbonized remains of bonfires were less likely to be preserved. Nevertheless, evidence of open-air settlements has been discovered at archaeological sites such as Terra Amata and the Lazaret Cave in Nice. By now, we have learned how Paleolithic people lived — but what did they look like?

Rather than describing each Homo species individually, due to their large number, I will outline the general physical characteristics of the genus Homo. Early Homo species generally had relatively small bodies, darker skin, long and low skulls, large faces and jaws, and reduced teeth compared to Australopithecus. As we move toward later Homo species, noticeable differences in appearance emerge. Homo habilis was relatively small, with short legs and long arms, and retained jaw and tooth features similar to those of Australopithecus. In contrast, Homo erectus had body proportions similar to modern humans, a fully upright posture, a large face without a chin, and a flatter nose. Other species, such as Homo floresiensis (aka “hobbit”) and Homo naledi, displayed smaller body sizes and unique anatomical features. The anatomy of early Homo males and females described here reflects adaptations inherited from earlier hominins, which may have supported greater mobility and climbing ability than in modern humans. However, these traits later became less advantageous, a topic that will be discussed in a following post.

Although we have learned much about the way of life and physical appearance of Paleolithic people, their social organization remains less well understood. Therefore, some scientists suggest that social organization of early humans didn’t differ significantly from those of modern apes. However, other researchers argue that Paleolithic societies were more complex. Evidence from archaeological sites shows that stone tools were sometimes deliberately accumulated in specific locations, often together with animal bones. This suggests planning, repeated use of certain areas, and cooperative behavior rather than random activity. Some scientists believe that this kind of behavior may have been a form of communication. Despite significant progress in our understanding of Paleolithic societies, many aspects still remain unknown.

Instead of a conclusion, to outline how long the Paleolithic lasted: the Paleolithic took place during the geological epoch known as the Pleistocene. At the end of the Pleistocene, the Holocene began — the geological epoch in which we live today. In this sense, as humans, we are toddlers compared to the immense amount of time it took for hominins to evolve into Homo sapiens sapiens. 

Source:

Težak – Gregl, T., Hrvatske zemlje od starijega kamenog do bakrenog doba. Prapovijest hrvatskih zemalja 1. svezak, Zagreb: Leykam international, 2017.