The Stone Age, Paleolithic and Modern Man

the Stone Age or Paleolithic, was very long and slow. Ran from about 2 million years before about 40,000 BC.

We left poor old Neanderthal forlornly waved us through the fog of history about the last time. However, Neanderthal bones found in Croatia, which dates back 28,000 years.

Following on the heels came to Cro-Magnon, the Dordogne area of France, where the remains were discovered in a cave in 1868. Suddenly, or so it seems, the art began to develop. The famous wall paintings in such places as Chauvet, Lascaux and Altamira.

We are moving along here a little, I know, but it is an overview that shows how we arrived at our current situation.

Cro-Magnon were larger and more muscular than they are today, and again, as the Neanderthals had larger brains. They are classed as; Berava. That does not mean that, or we, are twice as wise! It's just a classification.

Upper Paleolithic period, from 35000-10000 years. Finally, we see them in Britain, trudging across the land bridge that is now the English Channel, 27000-26000 years ago. If the thermometer was invented 25,000 years ago, it would have been noted with alarm that the temperature was falling pretty quickly. ice sheet was gripping Britain, who chased even the hardiest small population to about 14,000 years ago, when conditions began to improve.

About 10,000 BC, the climate was such that Paleolithic man again called Britain 'home'. At least South Britain is ready to move, although it does not get rave reviews of to-day's travel magazine. Woodland existed in sheltered places, but Park tundra prevailed, and food sources were reindeer, elk and horses, a horse quickly became the main source of protein.

They were mostly residents of the cave and Paleolithic people, but there is evidence that they have started to explore the northern parts of Britain, the highlands, the seasonal. There is absolutely no proof that the rumors that have built summer homes up there, either!

weapon of choice for the Neolithic or New Stone Age man, any clubs and spears, although there is evidence that the bows and slings have been used before 12,000 years ago. It was at this time, too, that communal hunting is taking place, driving animals to other groups of hunters to chase far more productive.

forms of religious beliefs began to emerge, the reliance on magic and the supernatural.

Cresswell cliff caves in Derbyshire show us the final stages of the British Paleolithic man and so very generously. Therefore, prehistorians relating to this time as Cresswellian period.

well-equipped do-it-yourselfer, or master, at the time would have had quite a great tool consists of a large number of the angle of the blade surface, burins, force, and end scrapers. This brings us to about 8,000 years ago.

At this time, not only flint tools were found. Bone work and are now turning up. Reindeer horn made in the harpoon, with two rows of vicious criticism are found in places such as Aveline's Hole in the Mendip Hills and Kent's cavern.

Gough's Cave in Somerset made a rod of ivory that could well be part of the port. Cheddar Gorge, of course, where Gough cave is located, shows some really interesting artifacts. Cheddar is about 12 miles south of Bristol, and in the next article, we'll have a look at what they found there and continue our trip in more modern times.