Cultural Behaviour of Early Humans

Question 1

Levallois Method

Answer 1

A sophisticated stone tool-making technique where a flake is struck from a core to create a pre-shaped tool.

Example: The Mousterian tool industry used by Neanderthals shows the Levallois method in action, with flint tools like scrapers and points.

Question 2

Aurignacian Culture

Answer 2

Associated with early modern humans in Europe, known for advanced tools and art.

Example: The Venus figurines and blade tools found in sites like Hohlefels Cave illustrate the Aurignacian culture’s creativity.

Question 3

Neanderthals

Answer 3

Early humans who lived in Europe and parts of Asia, known for their robust bodies and unique tool use.

Example: The Mousterian tools like flint tools and scrapers found at La Chapelle-aux-Saints represent Neanderthal craftsmanship.

Question 4

Beringa

Answer 4

land bridge that connected Asia to North America during the Ice Age, facilitating migration to the Americas.

Example: Early humans are believed to have crossed Beringia into North America around 12,000 years ago.

Question 5

Ice-Free Corridor

Answer 5

A route through North America that could have been used by humans migrating south from Beringia.

Example: Evidence from sites like Clovis suggests early human groups may have used this corridor to enter the Americas.

Question 6

Coastal Route

Answer 6

A proposed migration path along the Pacific coast that might have been used by early humans to reach the Americas.

Example: Archaeological sites like Monte Verde in Chile support the idea of coastal migration into the Americas.

Question 7

Clovis Industry/Culture

Answer 7

Time Period: 13,000 years ago during the Pleistocene in North America.

Significance: Known for their distinctive Clovis points (fluted spear points), the culture is one of the earliest known groups of humans in the Americas.

Key Features:

Clovis Points: Large, leaf-shaped stone points used for hunting megafauna.

Hunting Practices: The Clovis people hunted large animals like mammoths and mastodons.

Significance: The Clovis culture provides evidence of early human migration into the Americas, possibly through Beringia.

Question 8

Megafaunal extinction

Answer 8

Time Period: 12,000–46,000 years ago, at the end of the Pleistocene.

Cause: Likely a combination of climate change and human hunting. Early human populations, including Aboriginal Australians and Clovis people, contributed to the extinction of large animals.

Key Features:
Australia: Species like the giant kangaroo and marsupial lion went extinct around 46,000 years ago.

Americas: Animals like mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats disappeared around 12,000 years ago.

Evidence: Fossils and archaeological sites like Lake Mungo (Australia) and Clovis (Americas) show evidence of human interaction with megafauna.