The Paleolithic Era marks a cultivating time in world history. Ranging from 2,600,000 to 12,000 years ago, it is known as a part of the stone age. More specifically, the Paleolithic Era is known as the “Old Stone Age.” This differentiates it from the new stone age; the Neolithic Era. With the latter came the agricultural revolution - based on the Paleolithic style of gathering edible plants, and polished tools - which were based on the rough stone equivalent of the Paleolithic Age. While both of these periods were equally influential, many of the ideas and developments of the Paleolithic Era set into motion those of the Neolithic. In addition, these same concepts first touched upon up to 2.6 million years ago are still …show more content…
erectus appears to have been the first human species to control fire, some 1,000,000 years ago” (Homo erectus). One million years ago falls right in the middle of the paleolithic area, marking the mastery of fire as a hallmark achievement of the time. Homo erectus, an ancestor of humans, had a larger jaw complete with sizable teeth, and a smaller brain than the modern human. The mastery of fire not only influenced the way that modern humans eat and function, but has impacted their physical shape as well. “...The softening brought about by cooking could explain a second evolutionary trend, that toward smaller teeth and less-powerful jaws” (Without Fire?). This suggests the physical importance of the utilization of fire; how humans cooking their food has changed their physical …show more content…
In fact, anthropologists believe that humans had religion even before 50,000 years ago, meaning within the Paleolithic time period, based on burials from that time with evidence of religious rituals (Prehistoric religion). Nearly every culture has its own unique mythological interpretation of the way the universe began. More specifically, how humankind and the gods or God came to live on the Earth together. Each culture came up with these tales to attempt to explain the unexplainable concept of creation, creating religion as they did so. This is not unique to the Paleolithic time period, religion is still prominent in human culture today. Even though it is not a physical invention, religion is a concept crucial to survival. Over the years it has given many the faith to persevere, in many cases because of the anticipation of a promising