The Old Stone Age (Paleolithic), lasting from about 2.5 million years ago until roughly 10,000 B.C., was by far the longest phase of human history. People during this time lived as hunters and gatherers, relying entirely on nature for food and survival.
Life in Small Groups
Humans lived in small communities known as hordes, often consisting of several related families. A typical horde included 15 to 20 members, who shared a common camp. They found shelter in caves, under rock ledges, or in simple huts made from branches and leaves. Their daily routine was shaped by cooperation: hunting, gathering food, and protecting each other.
The hand axe was the main tool and weapon of the time. It served many purposes: cutting, digging, and preparing food. Therefore, it became the symbol of Stone Age technology.
Tools and Hunting
Most tools were made from flint or quartzite. Humans learned to shape stones skillfully using striking and flaking techniques, gradually producing more refined tools such as microliths.
With better tools came better hunting methods. People organized driving hunts in open plains, requiring teamwork, planning, and communication to capture large animals.
The Birth of Religion and Art
As humans tried to make sense of the world around them, they created stories and myths to explain natural forces and life itself. From these beliefs arose the first rituals and religious practices.
The dead were often buried with care, sometimes covered with colored earth and adorned with flowers or jewelry, showing a belief in an afterlife.
Humans also began expressing their beliefs through art, especially in cave paintings. These paintings, often depicting animals, were probably part of hunting rituals meant to ensure success or communicate with spirits, a form of early shamanism.
The most famous examples are the paintings of Lascaux in France, created between 31,000 and 17,000 B.C., which show remarkable artistic and spiritual depth.
The Venus Figurines
Small stone sculptures of women, such as the Venus of Willendorf, reflect a belief in fertility and life renewal. This figure, about 11 cm tall and carved around 25,000 B.C., represents an idealized woman with pronounced body features, likely symbolizing motherhood or abundance.