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Introduction
The origin of modern humans is believed to be from the continent of Africa. The evolution changes showed signs of development in terms of anatomy and structure but showed a significantly slight change in terms of lifestyle. As time went by, tools and artifacts used during the Paleolithic period showed changes in diversification and complexity. This was during the shift from the middle Paleolithic period to the upper Paleolithic period which is known as the Upper Paleolithic Revolution. This period also experienced significant changes in terms of lifestyle and organization structure. This tools technology spread as a result of migration of people to other regions during this period. This geographical dispersion is what led to the explosion in population of modern man during this period.
New Tools and Blade Technology
According to Kooyman, the Paleolithic period saw the development of flint tool manufacturing which was a change from the less complex short flakes previously used (Kooyman 2000). These tools played a major role in creating efficiency in hunting specifically in skinning the game. Burins and racloirs were used to cut through hide and skins. Other tools that appeared during this period were tools like; darts, harpoons, fishhook, and oil lamp and eye needle. This period also saw the blossom of artistic work and utilization of raw materials. There were activities such as cave painting and petroglyphs regardless to the the fact that some of the raw materials used were from distant sources. Most of the tools introduced during this period replaced previously used tools which were crude and bulkier.
Art and Trade Networks
An estimated 30000 years ago, some artistic forms in the form of perforated animal teeth were discovered in France. Some of the animals teeth used in these artistic forms were the fox and the wolves believed to be the existing animals at the time that had most interaction with man. The teeth were used to make necklaces and other personal ornaments. Archeologists have also found sculptured ivory along with some human forms bearing lion heads. This period also experienced the art of cave painting and elaborate clothe design. Social correspondence and trading activities increased between different communities a situation brought about by a surge in population during this period. According to Bramingham, One of the main items traded during this period were sea shells. Archeological evidence indicates that trade networks existed over a vast distance of about 250 km between the Mediterranean coast and the neighboring coastal regions (Bramingham 2004).
On the social aspect, internal social organization became more complex. This meant that family patterns and community patterns changed. This change was aimed at taking advantage of economic exploitation occurring at the time. There was also the practice of division of labor where the heads of the community had the mandate to assign specific tasks to specific individuals. Survival skills were not taught to everyone but were taught to specific people in the community who were responsible of practicing the skills taught. The settlement in this period also appeared to be more geographically dispersed than that of the predecessors. The housing structures also changed in terms of complexity and size. An average family could have up to almost 100 individuals and was housed in pit like depressions which had an oval arrangement of structures.
The domestication of the dog occurred in the late upper Paleolithic period. The dog has its ancestry from the wild wolves. Archeological and genetic evidence however have not been able to identify the exact period during which the dog was domesticated by man but it is predicted that it may have occurred during the upper Paleolithic period near the transition to Pleistocene period. The domestication of the dog is found to have been as a result of mutual desire. This is because, wild canines found to scavenge for food near human habitats had better chances of survival than those that hunted for food. The wild canines that attacked people were killed while the more friendly animals survived. This is how the relationship between man and dog developed and the dog proved to be a valuable asset to man since it helped man in hunting and keeping away other wild canines.
Archeological evidence has shown the existence and development of the modern man during the Upper Paleolithic period. The discovery of ornaments and skeletal remains at Ksar Akil in Lebanon was the latest discovery of the existing artistic forms and practices during this period. The other form of lion-human form was discovered in Germany at Hohlenstein-Stadel. This form is currently at the Ulmer Museum in Germany. Around the period between 15000 and17000 BC, the Lascaux caves which had paintings of bulls on the walls were discovered. The caves however were closed from public viewing until the late 1963 to allow for the completion of archeological excavation. The earliest possible dog fossils were in form of mandibles discovered in Germany dated to be 17000 years old.
Modern Significance
According to Macalister, The cultural significance of the transition period that is known as the Upper Paleolithic Revolution is that this period oversaw a revolution in terms of technological progression and social diversity (Macalister 1921). This period was the height of sophistication during the Old Stone Age. The various tools developed during this period ensured cultural adaptation in a diverse global environment during this period. The cultural innovations that occurred during this period played an important role in laying a foundation of tool technology progression and cultural developments.
References
Bramingham P.J et al, (2004), The Early upper Paleolithic beyond Western Europe, New York: University of California press.
Kooyman, B.P. (2000), Understanding Stone Tools and Archeological Sites, New York: UNM Press.
Macalister, R.A. (1921), the Paleolithic Period, New York: University Press.
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