Prehistoric Times
The Prehistoric Era began about 2 million years ago and ended about 100,000 years ago. It was the time
before written records were kept. Yep no textbooks, tests, or report cards!!!
Prehistoric Times refers to the time before man kept written records. This era was divided into three different ages. We
only studied two of them. The Paleolithic, or Old Stone Age, and the Neolithic Stone Age were each named for the
complexity of the tools they made and used.
During the Paleolithic Age people were nomadic. This means they did not have permanent home sites. Instead
they followed herds of animals. Because of this, they lived in caves or temporary shelters. Their technology was hunting
and gathering. The hunting was usually done by the males and the gathering of fruit, nuts, roots and fish was usually
done by the females. For safety people began to hunt and live in groups. The strongest man became the leader.
Cave paintings left by these early people were mostly drawings of animals being hunted. These and the artifacts left
behind tell their story.
The Neolithic period was one of great change. The domestication of plants and animals meant that people
could settle in permanent homes since there was no need to follow animal herds. People were now able to grow their
own food and raise their own animals. Many of these permanent settlements became villages.
With so many people there was now a need for a more organized government.
