From the First Apes to the First Cities: Unraveling the Origins of Human Civilization

The Stone Age: Tools, Fire, and Survival

As hominids continued their evolutionary journey, they developed sophisticated stone tools and mastered the use of fire, transforming their interactions with the environment and laying the foundation for future technological advancements.

The Stone Age, which spanned millions of years, is divided into three main periods: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. During the Paleolithic, hominids crafted hand axes, cleavers, and scrapers from stone, which they used for hunting, gathering, and defense. They also learned to control fire, providing warmth, protection, and a means to cook food.

With the advent of the Mesolithic period, around 10,000 years ago, humans developed more specialized tools, such as spears, arrows, and fishhooks. They also began to exploit new food sources, including fish and shellfish. The Mesolithic marked a transition towards a more sedentary lifestyle, as humans started to occupy temporary settlements near water sources.

The Neolithic period, which began around 6,000 years ago, witnessed a revolution in human behavior with the advent of agriculture and animal domestication. Humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to cultivating crops and raising livestock, leading to the rise of permanent settlements and the development of more complex social structures.