Human evolution tools

Question 1

Palaeolithic definition

Answer 1

refers to a time period in the human development of human culture that means old stone age.

Question 2

Palaeolithic tool example (4)

Answer 2

• Oldowan
• Acheuilian
• Mousterian
• Upper palaeolithic

Question 3

how many blows is Oldowan tool culture

Answer 3

( 6 - 8 blows)

Question 4

When did tool culture first appear

Answer 4

(2.5 million years ago)

Question 5

what species is associated with the Oldowan tool culture

Answer 5

Homo habilis

Question 6

Describe the oldowan tool culture

Answer 6

Simple river worn pebbles that were fashioned with only a few flakes removed from several angles to produce a core with a cutting edge.

Question 7

How many blows is the acheulian tool culture

Answer 7

(50 blows)

Question 8

when did the acheulian tool first appear

Answer 8

1.5 million years ago

Question 9

what species is associated with acheulian tool culture

Answer 9

Homo erectus

Question 10

describe the acheulian tool

Answer 10

• Tear drop shaped, and bi-faced.
• “hand axes”
• unlike oldowan each tool is manufactured using great many more blows to remove flakes.

Question 11

how many blows is mousterian

Answer 11

150 blows

Question 12

when did mousterian tool culture first appear

Answer 12

150,000 years ago

Question 13

describe mousterian tools

Answer 13

Flint preferred to produce stone tool, due to the very predictable way in which it would chip when struck with another hard object (much finer workmanship was possible)
The Levallois tool making method involved preparing a core and striking off a large oval flake which was then retouched on one surface only.

Question 14

what species is associated with mousterian tool culture

Answer 14

Homo neanderthalensis

Question 15

how many blows is upper paleolithic tools

Answer 15

250 blows

Question 16

what species is associated with upper paleolithic tools

Answer 16

Homo sapiens

Question 17

when did upper paleolithic tools first appear

Answer 17

40,000 years ago

Question 18

describe upper paleolithic tools

Answer 18

Sudden increase in tool sophistication (35,000 - 40,000 years ago)
Homo Sapiens + Neanderthals produced finer flint tools using punch blade technique.
Punch blade technique - long thin flakes are removed and shaped into a large number of different tool types.
Palaeolithic hunter development - throwing sticks - increasing the range of the spear and tipped the balance in favours of the hunter.