Quiz 1:
The Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras
Instructions: Write a 1-2 page essay addressing one of the options below. All essays should
quote material from the selected source.
1. Guy Gugliotta, "The Great Human Migration.” Science Magazine, 2008
What are the current scientific theories on how human beings spread across the planet?
Where is the origin of mankind, and how do scholars believe humans migrated to new
lands? What role have recent scientific techniques played in contributing to these
theories?
2. Virtual Tour of the Cave Paintings of Lascaux
Describe your virtual tour of the cave paintings of Lascaux. What type of art is featured
in these caves? How do you think this art reflects the life experiences of humans during
the Paleolithic Era?
3. “Swimming Reindeer.” A History of the World in 100 Objects. BBC Radio.
Describe this piece of art produced by Paleolithic humans. What does the piece of art
depict? What was the piece made of, and how was it made? What does this piece of art
tell us about life during the Paleolithic period?
4. The First Europeans: From Hunters to Farmers (2010). Films on Demand.
Based on this film, describe the development of human societies in Europe from the
arrival of humans in roughly 40,000 BC to the development of the first cities. What sort
of societies did the first “Europeans” develop in the Paleolithic Era? What environmental
changes and new technologies triggered changes in human social structures?
5. Michael Batler, "Why Settle Down? The Mysteries of Communities."
Based on this article, describe why Batler believes why human settlements were
established during the Neolithic Era. What factors brought these early communities
together and kept them together? What do the excavations at Catal Huyuk tell us about
life in the Neolithic Era?
6. Stonehenge in Context: From Modern Myth to Ancient History (2002). Films on Demand.
What do we know about Stonehenge and the people who built it? What myths and
legends surround Stonehenge’s history? How was Stonehenge built? What purpose do
scholars believe Stonehenge possessed? What does Stonehenge tell us about the ancient
past?