Name: __________________
Early People
I.
II.
Life Long Ago
a. Discoveries in Africa.
i. Some scientists today think that human life may have
begun in Africa over 2 million years ago and then
spread to the rest of the world.
ii. In the country of Tanzania, archaeologists discovered
remains in large canyons that may be about 2 million
years old.
b. Tools from Long Ago
i. Archaeologists have also found what may have been
the world’s first tools.
ii. These may look like rocks to us, but these simple but
useful tools mark the start of technology in culture.
iii. Technology: the use of skills and tools to meet
practical needs.
iv. Stone tools were the most common technology until
about 12,000 years ago.
v. That period of time is called Old Stone Age.
c. Other Discoveries and Skills
i. The remains of ancient animal bones found with stone
tools suggest that early people hunted for survival.
ii. Also during the Old Stone Age, people learned how to
make and use fire.
1. This technology made it possible to cook for the
first time.
2. It also meant people could move to colder
climates.
Life in the Old Stone Age
a. Families that once lived in a cave in Africa have left behind
many clues as to what life was like.
b. Border Cave is located on the northeastern tip of South
Africa.
c. This is where early people were said to have lived.
d. These people met their needs by hunting and by gathering
plants. They were known as hunter-gatherers.
e. Art dates back to the Old Stone Age.
f. Prehistoric cave paintings have been discovered in many
parts of the world.