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Questions and Answers
Which of the following materials was NOT commonly used in Paleolithic dwellings?
Which of the following materials was NOT commonly used in Paleolithic dwellings?
What was a primary function of caves after the development of tents and huts?
What was a primary function of caves after the development of tents and huts?
During which period did agriculture begin to be introduced?
During which period did agriculture begin to be introduced?
What was a key feature of Neolithic houses that differed from Paleolithic structures?
What was a key feature of Neolithic houses that differed from Paleolithic structures?
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What is a 'sheiling' as defined in the content?
What is a 'sheiling' as defined in the content?
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Why were pit houses considered to have good thermal efficiency?
Why were pit houses considered to have good thermal efficiency?
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Which invention is associated with the Upper Paleolithic Period?
Which invention is associated with the Upper Paleolithic Period?
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What evidence suggests that Paleolithic people had religious or supernatural beliefs?
What evidence suggests that Paleolithic people had religious or supernatural beliefs?
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Which of these describes a characteristic of the houses at Skara Brae?
Which of these describes a characteristic of the houses at Skara Brae?
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What primary building material was notably used for the construction of Oppida?
What primary building material was notably used for the construction of Oppida?
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Which of these best describes a Dolmen?
Which of these best describes a Dolmen?
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What is a key feature of lake dwellings as described in the text?
What is a key feature of lake dwellings as described in the text?
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What purpose did the stone slab and bar serve in the later houses at Skara Brae?
What purpose did the stone slab and bar serve in the later houses at Skara Brae?
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Which of the following describes a common characteristic of megalithic structures?
Which of the following describes a common characteristic of megalithic structures?
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In cold regions, 'hearth houses' were typically constructed with what feature?
In cold regions, 'hearth houses' were typically constructed with what feature?
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Where are cliff houses primarily located?
Where are cliff houses primarily located?
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Study Notes
Early Dwellings
- Early human dwellings varied significantly across different periods and regions.
- The Paleolithic period (2,000,000-12,000 BP) saw the use of tools like axes, choppers, spears, scrapers, knives, and chisels made of wood.
- Early humans also used baskets and bags, and drilled wood for constructing shelters, boats, and other structures.
- They learned to control fire.
- Later in the Paleolithic period, dwelling materials evolved to incorporate mammoth tusks, leg bones, and skulls.
- Boats were developed for fishing, allowing for a wider variety of foods in their diet.
- They became nomadic, moving from Africa to Asia, Southern India, Malay Islands, Australia, Japan, China, Alaska, and North America.
- Harpoons were invented for hunting.
- The Upper Paleolithic period saw further innovations like nets, bolas, spear throwers, bows, arrows, and pottery.
Upper Paleolithic Period
- Domestication of animals occurred.
- Artistic expression emerged in the form of cave paintings, Venus figurines, animal carvings, and rock paintings.
Mesolithic Age
- The climate warmed.
- Agriculture was introduced.
- Settlements were established near water sources.
Neolithic Age (10,000)
- Humans began settling permanently, engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry.
- Pottery for food storage developed.
- Early village life, religion, and art forms emerged.
- Mud brick houses coated with plaster became common.
Prehistoric Houses
- Mammoth houses (20,000-14,000 BP) were found in Ukraine, France, Siberia, and Germany.
- Shelters, or huts, were built for family living (Scotland).
- Pit houses (also called Kivas) involved digging into the ground to create the dwelling with posts holding the roof for thermal efficiency.
- These were prevalent in ancestral Pueblo and Fremont, among other cultures in the Southwestern United States and areas of South America.
Lake Dwellings
- Dwellings were built on platforms supported by pilings driven deep into the mud, surrounded by heavy stones.
- A framework of tree trunks formed the platform, on which homes were built.
- Often had a beaten clay floor.
Cliff Houses
- Structures were built directly into mountain cliffs.
- Rooms were carved into soft rock.
- An example is Mesa Verde, Colorado.
Oppida/Oppidum
- These were fortified settlements.
- Earthworks, instead of stone, were the primary building material used to protect them.
Hearth Houses
- These were common in cold regions—small huts with one to two rooms and hearth in the center.
Courtyard Houses
- A central courtyard was a characteristic feature of these structures.
Spiritual, Memorial, and Megalithic Structures
- Megaliths were large, monumental stones.
- These constructions were made of carefully interlocked stones without mortar.
- They revealed an understanding of astronomy and a desire for artistic expression, as seen in sites like Stonehenge in Salisbury, England.
Dolmens
- These are portal tombs, consisting of three or more upright, unshaped stone slabs supporting a large capstone.
- Found in prehistoric sites such as Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa in Korea.
- Located in India at Moral Pari in Mallachanan, Tamil Nadu, and also in Marayoor, Kerala.
Stone Balls
- These were found in Costa Rica, and are spheres of stone that show significant engineering skill.
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Description
Explore the fascinating evolution of early human dwellings and their lifestyles during the Paleolithic and Upper Paleolithic periods. This quiz covers the tools, materials, and innovations that shaped the way early humans lived, hunted, and expressed their artistic creativity. Test your knowledge on how these developments influenced human migration and societal growth.
