Did Charles Darwin at the end of his life renounce his theory of human evolution? Did ancient people find dinosaurs? Is it true that Russia is the cradle of mankind, and who is the Yeti - is it not one of our ancestors who got lost in the centuries? Although paleoanthropology - the science of human evolution - is experiencing a rapid flowering, the origin of man is still surrounded by many myths. These are anti-evolutionary theories, and legends generated by mass culture, and pseudo-scientific ideas that exist among educated and well-read people. Do you want to know how it was "really"? Alexander Sokolov, editor-in-chief of the portal ANTROPOGENESIS.RU, has collected a whole collection of such myths and checked how well they are.

The only catch is that people have never lived in many of these caves ... Such, for example, is the Lascaux cave in France, where the famous “hall of the bulls” is located. Judging by the paucity of archaeological inventory, people visited the cave only to admire the images ... What was this place? An art gallery? Sanctuary? Maybe both of them - but not an ordinary dwelling.

Even Australopithecus in South Africa have been and continue to be found in karst caves. However, for Australopithecus, the cave is not a refuge. But what? A mass grave, where the remains of the poor fell, like the bones of other animals, from the table of predators.

Most of the South African Australopithecus known to us fell prey to leopards,- writes S. V. Drobyshevsky. - Thanks to the spotted beasts, we have the remains of our ancient ancestors. Leopards have a habit of dragging prey up trees to protect them from hyenas. Trees grow where there is more water. And water accumulates in karst cracks. Therefore, the leftovers of cat feasts fall directly into the cave abyss, where they are then washed away with sand. In a pressed form mixed with stones, breccia is formed - a kind of concrete stuffed with bits. The most illustrative example of such a chain of events is the fragmentary skull of a calf Paranthropus robustus SK 54. Two holes gape on its parietal bones, into which the fangs of a leopard fit perfectly (Brain, 1970). Such a fate was typical not only for massive Australopithecus, but also for older gracile ones, which is shown in detail for Australopithecus africanus from the fourth level of Sterkfontein (Brain, 1981, 1993; Pickering et al., 2004) .

Another famous cave find, already mentioned in the book, is the remains of Australopithecus sediba. The world learned about a hitherto unknown species of hominids thanks to a tragedy that broke out 2 million years ago. Only this time, it’s not the predators that are to blame, but the cave itself, which has become a death trap for the poor: all three crashed, falling into a 40-meter well. Probably, the bodies of the unfortunate were washed away by the rain stream into the underground reservoir, where they were quickly covered with mud. Having hardened, the mud reliably protected the remains of hominids from destruction, and in this form they lay at the bottom of the cave to this day.

But not a single cave! By the way, the oldest human settlements known to science - in the locations of Gona, Omo, Hadar in Ethiopia, Kanzhera in Kenya, Olduvai in Tanzania, Senga and Semliki (Ishango) in Zaire - were located in open areas. It turns out that early Homo were by no means "cavemen". And are there many caves in the African savannah? Look at the modern natives of Africa, Australia, South America - do any of them live in caves?

This does not mean that the ancient people ignored the caves. Of course, if they found a grotto or a cave, they were not averse to settling in it - after all, a roof over their heads, protection from rain and wind. At least suitable as a seasonal parking lot.

You can also bury someone in the cave. The famous Neanderthal burials were located in caves and grottoes. For example, the classic old man La Chapelle is buried in a small cave, where, apparently, no one lived - it was used strictly for ritual purposes. In another famous French cave, La Ferrassi, as many as four Neanderthals are buried - two adults and two children, so the cave probably played the role of a cemetery.

But there aren't enough caves for everyone! In many habitats there are none at all, and where caves are found, there are not enough of them to be the main type of “apartment” for local residents.

Another thing is that the open parking lot left by man was quickly washed away by rains and fluttered by winds, and the cave dwelling was much more likely to avoid complete destruction and survive to this day. This can explain why numerous finds were made in caves.

Most likely, the ancient man was not specifically a caveman, but simply settled wherever there was an opportunity. A cave, a grotto, a rocky canopy were quite suitable for his purposes, but if there were none, people did just fine without them.

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At the very dawn of civilization, our distant ancestors lived in caves and did not even think that it was possible to live in any other way. But even today there are people who do not accept the benefits of civilization and live far from others, becoming.

Today, there are not so many ancient cave cities preserved in the world. Some of them were destroyed by time, some by wars and vandals. But the remaining cave settlements make a huge impression. Especially those in which people still live.

Meymand town in Iran

One of the most ancient cave cities where people still live is the city of Meymand. It is located in Iran near the city of Shiraz. Researchers believe that this village originated over 12,000 years ago. But it is reliably known that people have been living in it for 3,000 years. Today, several hundred people live in this ancient city.

There are about 350 ancient houses in Meymand, made in natural and artificial caves in the center of the mountain and located at an altitude of 2200 meters. Inside such houses there are several rooms of irregular geometric shape, according to approximate estimates, there are more than 2000 of them. Residents store their things and products in niches hollowed out right in the rock, and the floors are lined with mats and carpets. Meimand residents do not use heaters or fans. And not because there is no electricity in the ancient city. Cave houses are always warm in winter and cool in summer. Previously, locals cooked right in the cave kitchens, but over time it became unsafe, and the hearths were moved to the street.

Most of the inhabitants of the village do not live in it permanently, but wander, driving cattle and farming. Nevertheless, Meymand is always crowded, as tourists often come here. For them, the locals even opened a hotel, a restaurant and several cafes right in the cave houses. In addition, Meymand has a bathhouse, a school and several mosques.

It is noteworthy that the inhabitants of the cave city practically did not feel the influence of the modern world. They speak a dialect close to Old Persian. They also do not eat modern food, eating what they grow themselves. In 2015, the rocky village of Meymand was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but the locals somehow do not pay attention to this and live as their ancestors lived for many centuries. But in the ancient city of Kandovan, also located in Iran, things are somewhat different.

The village of Kandovan is located in Iran near the city of Tabriz and most of all looks like the dwellings of huge termites. But in the cave houses, hollowed out right in the rocks, not insects live at all, but the most ordinary people. Moreover, they claim that their cave village arose more than 700 years ago. Probably, people lived in the rocks to protect themselves from nomadic raids. Today there is no need for such protection, but the inhabitants of Kandovan stubbornly refuse to leave their cave dwellings. And not in vain. Living conditions in them are quite comfortable.

Today, about 1000 people live in the cave town of Kandovan. And their houses are truly unique, because they are made inside the rocks. There are even two- and four-story cave houses, inside of which there are several rooms. There are also windows in the apartments with real frames inserted into them, and even open verandas. Near the ancient houses inside the rocks, the locals build livestock rooms and storerooms. Incredibly, there is electricity in Kandovan, the locals enjoy watching TV and listening to the radio. But they do it in their spare time.

Most of the inhabitants of the cave houses are engaged in agriculture and raise cattle. Also, for a fee, they let tourists into their cave houses and acquaint them with their way of life. By the way, for tourists in Kandovan there is a real five-star hotel, carved right into the rock. However, some residents of Kandovan do not permanently live in the village, but go to the nearest city to work. In addition, there is no school in the cave village, so children also constantly go to the city. So do the little residents of the Chinese mountain village of Zhongdong, where a few years ago the authorities closed the only school.

Chinese village in Zhongdong cave

There are many megacities in China, but about half of the population lives not in them, but in villages. The standard of living and amenities varies, but Zhongdong Settlement, located in Guizhou Province, stands out the most. It's hard to believe, but in a huge cave at an altitude of 1800 meters there is a whole city with several streets and even a basketball court!

It is not known exactly when the first people settled in the cave and how they lived there. But the life of modern inhabitants of the cave city is clearly different from the life of prehistoric people. There are many real huts built in Zhongdong Cave. The walls of these huts, by the way, are made of huge mats woven from leaves. Local residents practically do not differ from the inhabitants of other villages: they raise cattle, which they keep right there, in barns, and are engaged in folk crafts. However, this was not always the case. Zhongdong residents received many benefits of civilization not from the Chinese authorities, but from a foreign philanthropist.

How people live in Zhongdong Village

The authorities of Guingzhou province practically did not interfere in the life of the cave village. They only strictly followed the rule "one family - one child." Frank Beddor, a businessman from Minnesota who once visited this village, helped the residents of Zhongdong. He managed to bring electricity to the village and sponsored the construction of useful facilities: a school, a bathhouse and a basketball court. Thus, in 2002, the residents of Zhongdong got television, and the children were no longer sent to boarding schools where they studied. Beddor also purchased several dozen heads of livestock and agricultural machinery. But all good things come to an end sooner or later.

In 2011, the authorities, having learned about the organization of the school in the cave, declared that China was not a prehistoric cave country, and closed the school in Zhongdong. Unfortunately, the good philanthropist could not stand up for his wards, by that time Beddor had already died. Now children living in the cave city have to spend two hours to get to school in the neighboring village. The road is dangerous and winding, but the children are ready for anything, just not to live in boarding schools. Adults also go to the nearest village to sell milk and meat, as well as hand-made wicker furniture, mats and baskets.

The people of Zhongdong know that there is a slightly different world outside their cave, modern and full of amenities. But most of them do not want to leave. Only young people rush from the cave city to megacities, and no one detains them.

Cave city of Uchisar in Turkey

The ancient city of Uchisar is one of the most famous cave settlements in Cappadocia. Many centuries ago, people came to these places and cut down their dwellings in soft rocks. Since then, little has changed; inside the cave houses, time seems to have stopped. The only benefit of modernity, which is used by the inhabitants of Uchhisar, is electricity. Otherwise, they live in much the same way as their distant ancestors, taking water from wells and using latrines on the streets. But some of the Uchisar people do not live permanently in cave apartments, but use them as holiday homes.

Uchisar also has its own castle, which is a network of cave rooms and passages in a sixty-meter rock. That's what it's called - Uchisar Castle. And on its top there is an excellent observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the new and old city of Uchisar. Excursions are often led to the castle, and tourists look into the cave houses of local residents along the way. They also lead excursions to another ancient cave city, where until recently people lived quite well.

The city of Matera is located in the Basilicata region of Italy and is divided into two parts. In one of them there are stone houses quite familiar to the eye of a modern person. In the other, very, very old, houses are cut right into the rock. Also, some dwellings were organized in natural caves, where traces of prehistoric people were found. Until the beginning of the 20th century, people lived in the old cave Matera, but they had to leave their cave houses.

The inhabitants of the cave city of Matera themselves called their houses Sassi. Sometimes in one cave, which has a small area, huddled in 10 people. But there were also more spacious dwellings, where even now you can see the equipment that was advanced at the beginning of the 20th century. As for amenities, the inhabitants of the cave city had their own sewage system. They also managed to establish water supply by collecting water in cisterns, hollowed out right in the rocks. After that, through a pipe system, this water was supplied to other dwellings, in fact, everyone shared water with their neighbors from below.

People lived in the Sassi in the ancient city of Matera in rather cramped circumstances. Often there was only one bed for the whole family in the cave, where adults slept. Babies slept in hanging cradles, and older children slept in extended drawers of chests of drawers. We can say that the inhabitants of the Italian cave city were not spoiled with amenities. They went to the toilet in pots, the contents of which were then poured into the canyon. Perhaps that is why unsanitary conditions reigned in the sassi of Matera, and epidemics of diseases periodically broke out.

The city authorities settled local residents in other houses in the new part of Matera. Today, excursions for tourists are conducted in their dwellings, and the cave city itself is taken under the protection of UNESCO.

I wouldn't want to trade places with an ancient man. Although now many are talking about the need to “simplify”, throw off the shackles of civilization, live in nature, eat natural food. And then we, like our ancestors, will be able to live up to 150 years. I read a lot about human evolution. And I think every educated person would agree that The life of ancient people was difficult.

Life and survival of ancient people

In fact, people's life expectancy was much shorter. They lived up to 35-40 years. There were almost no infections and oncology then. But people had to hunt and that was very dangerous.

Even then they learned to share responsibilities. There was some resemblance patriarchy. The men provided food, the women processed prey (cooked food, dressed skins), the oldest members of society were engaged in raising and educating children. It was the prototype of a pension.

How did ancient people live and eat?

Probably, the diet of ancient people really was healthier. Except that, more often than not, it wasn't enough. But we wouldn't like it anyway:

1. They ate much more protein. But meat has always been in short supply. In the course were, for example, larvae and insects.
2. Rarely consumed carbohydrates. Delicious sweet fruits and fruits were a luxury. Since then, we have retained an unhealthy attachment to sweets.
3. The opening of fire was a breakthrough. Thermally processed food is better absorbed. Its proteins influenced the growth of the human brain and accelerated evolution.
4. There was no salt in the diet. Yes, food tastes better with it, and it contains the necessary trace elements. But it can cause dehydration and lead to heart problems.

Despite the fact that the life of ancient people was much more difficult, biologically they were more adapted to this world. As a view, of course. It is unlikely that any of us would have liked such a life. too much difficult She was. All our modern problems and diseases are connected with the fact that we managed to deceive nature. Would you like to trade places with an ancient man?

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When I was little, they always read books to me, and very often there were topics about the ancient world and customs. ancient people. I was so interested in this topic that I could listen all day long about how ancient people lived, what they did. And now I will try to tell you about the life of ancient people.

What people are considered ancient

The exact date it appeared ancient man, scientists still can not name. One thing is known, that they appeared about two million years ago. Ancient people somewhat resembled modern man, but, to a greater extent, they were gorilla-like in appearance. They had Long hands, the shape of the skull is more similar to the shape of a monkey, they also had a brain smaller than the brain of a modern person. Compared to ancient people, ancient people were already able to pronounce certain sounds and phrases, but they could not pronounce sentences and words that made sense. It is possible to highlight some characteristics of ancient people:

• mozg is slightly more than that of a monkey;
• the ability to pronounce abrupt sounds;
• association in small communities, like tribes.

In fact, I believe that ancient man is an evolving and more capable representative than his most ancient relative.

The life of ancient people

Ancient people had, basically, a monotonous and monolithic way of life. Almost every day they did the same thing. Main occupations ancient people were:

• hunting;
• gathering;
• extycha and fire support;
• development of new lands.

The life of these people was quite cruel, and I can explain why.

In ancient times, a person who had a stronger physique, and a larger the instinct of self-preservation, received almost all the benefits of the nature around him, while a weak and infirm person was dying of hunger or cold.

The day of the ancient people passed quite routinely. Approximately it looked like this: in the morning or in the evening, the men united in groups, and then went hunting. Having obtained some kind of game and having come to their place of dwelling, they went to the women who, with the help of fire, cooked meat, fish or root crops. They mainly produced fire with the help of lightning, and then supported it by constantly throwing sticks, branches and coals into it. Ancient people lived in caves, and this was their only refuge.

Life ancient man was very dangerous, he was surrounded wild conditions, predatory animals and birds willingly taking away the last food from a person. Therefore, the life of ancient people was not easy, rather, I would say, it was not life, but survival.

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As a child, I dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. I dreamed of myself on the Kulikovo field or in the sands of Babylon, pulling weapons and skulls of warriors out of the ground. My dream almost came true: I became a historian. For me, "ancient" and "prehistoric" are not the same thing. The ancient world already had a history. See how different it can be.

When and how did ancient people live?

Ancient world. Knowledge and myths intertwined when we hear this phrase. Little information went to historians about those times. But today we can confidently say that 6000 years ago arose ancient civilization in the valley Tigris and Euphrates.They called themselves "blackheads", and we call them Sumerians. They created the first gods for themselves, they had their own culture, but only fragments of it are available for study. What we can learn today about their lives seems scary to us, but at the same time wise. In the center their cities there were multi-stage towers - ziggurats, on the tops of which there was a sanctuary, what today would be called a temple.

Ancient people they knew how to observe the starry sky and knew as many as five planets. Houses they built from stone and bricks. The household (yard) was on the roof. dressed up they dressed in woolen clothes and dressed skins. And then there were the jewels. Flimsy (according to our concepts) Sumerian ships made of reed trunks even sailed to India. It was real ancient civilization. Here are some more interesting facts about the ancient people of Sumer:

• the ancient Sumerians had prototypes modern bank safes;
• in their homes there were no windows;
• knives did from clay.

Other ancient

The question, what was before the ancient man, tormented society. At the end of the 19th century, Mrs. Blavatsky in my work "Secret Doctrine" answers these questions.

All modern people are descendants of the Hyperboreans, a great race, with their own civilization, who lived on north of Eurasia or for Arctic Circle. They had the gift of foresight and teleportation, possessed unknown technical skills, but 9000 years ago they fell into decline. What else does he say Blavatsky about ancient people:

• now lives fifth race, and there will be seven in all;
• believed that the end of each race is associated with space disaster;
• proved that the teaching of history about the ancient world is incorrect.

Of course it is pseudohistory, utopia, alternative. You can call it differently, but how exciting! I'm sure we still have a lot to learn about how he lived ancient person.

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Of course, everyone notices how humanity develops over the years. New blessings of civilization appear. Even I remember very well the time when no one knew about the existence of a mobile phone and, for example, a tablet computer. But in the distant past, people had to make fire and make household items on their own. Let me remind you a little about how ancient people lived.

Lifestyle of ancient people

History tells us that primitive people appeared on our planet around 2 million years ago. Of course, it is impossible to recreate the smallest details of their life, but today a lot is already known about the life of that time.

The conditions were difficult, so no one lived alone. Ancient people gathered in small groups where each had specific responsibilities. Together they got their own food, guarded and equipped their home.

Such primitive tools as a stick and a stone helped ancient people to get their own food. The most important problem was subsistence. Primitive people were largely dependent on nature. In dry weather, they were left without berries, and the fires that broke out drove away all the animals. That is why they did not stay in one place for a long time. They had to roam in search of food.

The best option for them was to find a cave to live in. close to water. Then the animals that came to the watering place became their constant prey. All the accumulated skills and experience were passed down from generation to generation.

Household items and cooking

In the distant past, people also ennobled their homes and found ways to create household items. So, for example, for the manufacture of household utensils, ancient people used:

• dense branches of trees;
• coconut shell;
• wood;
• bamboo;
• skin.

They're driving cooked in wooden troughs throwing hot stones at them. Only later, when the ancient people learned how to make pottery out of clay they were able to cook food on the fire. To prepare dinner, women:

• harvested fruits;
• looking for bird eggs;
• found snails and crabs.

Laid down on men's shoulders hunting and fishing. Having caught a good prey, it was possible to get not only a hearty meal from it, but also a skin and bones, which were then used in everyday life. It is hard to believe that our life has become so advanced compared to primitive times. Perhaps our descendants will also be surprised how our cars drove along the roads, and did not fly through the air. :)

The life of a caveman

A long time ago, many thousands of years ago, only primitive people lived on earth. They were very different from modern people, they even looked like monkeys. But they were distinguished from animals by the fact that they knew how to walk on two legs, perform various tasks with their hands, for example, dig or process stones, as well as primitive people had their own language. These were only jerky sounds, but they could already convey fear, anxiety, joy and other feelings.

Primitive people lived in huts and dugouts, and sometimes in caves. They ate plant roots, bird eggs, insect larvae, which were in abundance right under their feet, collect - and eat. Later, people learned to hunt and began to eat meat.

Primitive people were defenseless against the forces of nature. There were many predatory animals around, whose teeth and claws threatened imminent death. Floods, thunderstorms, hurricanes, snowstorms and other natural phenomena frightened ancient people. Panic terror set fire to them. Many died simply from hunger.

Caveman

The name "cave people" or troglodytes is usually given to: 1) people or peoples who use caves for living, 2) or those whose cultural remains are found in caves, 3) or, finally, those who were buried there, intentionally or accidentally. Most often, the name P. man is used in relation to those people whose remains are found in the oldest deposits of caves, in layers belonging to the Paleolithic era.

Once a certain archaeologist Sautuola was excavating in the underground cave of Altamira in Northern Spain and took his little daughter with him. While her father was digging the ground in search of treasured finds, the girl made her way deep into the cave and found bison depicted on the walls, which seemed to freeze on the run in bizarre poses. With the help of red, black and brown paints, an unknown artist has achieved incredible success: the drawings have gained amazing liveliness and volume. Scientists for a long time could not believe that Altamira's drawings were created tens of thousands of years ago. This is not surprising, because people who could not only write, but even fashion a simple clay pot, turned out to have the talent of an artist! And yet I had to believe, because. along with the drawings, works of primitive art were found in the cave.

But just 120 years ago, scientists did not even suspect that among primitive people there were talented artists and craftsmen. These artists managed to convey the appearance and character of the animals, depict them in the "original". Deer were painted sensitive and alert, mammoths - powerful and strong, with a high nape, horses - fast and impetuous. There were many paintings depicting animals struck by spears and bleeding. Primitive people were afraid of natural phenomena. People did not know the natural causes of such forces of nature as a thunderstorm, a flood. They believed that there was an inexplicable supernatural connection between animals and the images they themselves created. People thought that if deer, bison or mountain sheep were depicted on the walls of the cave, then living animals under the influence of supernatural forces would become enchanted and would not leave the surrounding area. By drawing an animal struck by a spear, you can succeed in hunting.

Observations of several tribes in Australia over a long period of time have helped scientists unravel the meaning and significance of cave paintings. The main occupation of the Australian tribes was hunting and gathering. But before starting the hunt, they performed a magical rite, driving a spear into an animal drawn on the sand.

At the same time, people began to believe that people could miraculously turn into animals, and those, in turn, would turn into stones, plants and other inanimate objects. Such creatures, generated by the fantasy of a primitive man, are called turnarounds. They seem to help or harm people. With the help of such images, people tried to explain the phenomena that surround and occur around them.

People have a belief that something supernatural lives in the body of every person - the soul. When a person sleeps, he does not hear or notice anything, i.e. the soul leaves his body. She meets the souls of other people, eats and drinks, and the sleeper dreams about it. It is impossible to wake him abruptly and unexpectedly - the soul does not have time to return to the body, and the person may die. People believed that the souls of their ancestors and the souls of the dead moved to a distant, so-called "land of the dead". Souls also live there, hunt, fish and gather. Therefore, everything necessary for life in the “land of the dead” was placed in the grave of the deceased - strong shoes, food for the road, weapons and clothes. These beliefs that appeared among primitive people - in witchcraft, in werewolves, in the soul, in life after death - are called religious.

People came up with names for time periods associated with metals: the Iron Age, the Stone Age, the Bronze Age. The Stone Age is the most ancient period in the history of mankind, when the main material for the manufacture of things necessary for man - weapons and tools - was stone. Collecting stones and making the necessary tools, people got acquainted with copper, at that time it was found on Earth in the form of nuggets, similar to ordinary stones. They made knives, spearheads and arrowheads from copper. It was the copper age. But copper products were light and fragile. Further, people got acquainted with tin, but also a rather fragile metal. Bronze came later. Probably, pieces of copper and tin accidentally fell into the fire, heated up, joined together - and an alloy was obtained that combined the best properties of both copper and tin - this was bronze. After a certain time, people learned how to extract iron from ore. The Iron Age began about three thousand years ago.

People lived where it was always warm, so they did not care about warm clothes. Houses needed beaten only to protect from the sun's rays. Part of the time was spent looking for food, women and children plucked fruits from trees, dug up edible roots, searched for insect larvae. This way of life was called gathering. But people also needed meat. It was hunted by men. At that time, mammoths lived on Earth - the main prey of hunters. A mammoth could kill a man with a blow of its trunk, but people still hunted. They immediately had a lot of meat, fat and skins. The success of hunting and gathering largely depended on the vagaries of nature: either a forest fire would destroy trees with edible fruits and drive away animals, or a drought would destroy grass. Hunters went hunting, not knowing what awaits them. Once the women noticed that in the place where the grains are usually ground, spikelets with the same grains grew and guessed that these were randomly scattered grains. They tried to scatter the grains where they were scattered by accident, and received specially grown ears. Later, they began to grow grains near the house, and not wander through the forests and meadows. Men, having killed a wild pig on a hunt, brought home the piglets left from it. They placed the cubs in a corral, fed and raised them. This is how agriculture and animal husbandry arose.

The most ancient dishes were hollowed out of wood, woven from twigs. If it was necessary to bring water, the braid was coated with raw clay. One day, the braid accidentally fell into the fire, the rods burned out, and the clay became hard. So people learned to make pottery. Baskets, rugs were woven from leaves, twigs, bark of plants. There were plants with stems that looked like threads - this is flax, hemp. They began to make coarse, thick fabrics from such threads, but the clothes were comfortable for them. They tried to make threads from sheep's wool - woolen fabrics appeared.

In ancient times, people were afraid of fire, but gradually they noticed that fire is warmth, light and protection from wild animals. Then people began to make fires, using fire from a fire or from volcanic eruptions. At such a fire it was necessary to be on duty, to collect brushwood, since they could not make fire themselves. But over time, they noticed that if one piece of dry wood is rubbed against another, it will begin to smolder.

Primitive people learned to measure time by the number of days, but it was difficult for them to measure long distances. They drew attention to the appearance of the moon in the night sky. The moon sometimes looks like a sickle, then half a circle, then a full circle. Primitive people were able to calculate the number of days for which the moon changes its appearance. Time began to be measured not only by the number of days, but also by the number of lunar months. The first people on earth, like small children, did not know what the length of the year was. People tried to determine the length of each season. Depending on the season, the number of animals and edible fruits and roots changed. With the advent of agriculture, people became even more interested in seasonal changes in nature. Farmers realized that from one spring to the next, from one harvest to the next, an approximately equal number of days pass. Time has learned to count by years. They began to remember in what year an important event took place.

Where the caveman ruled. It lasted many hundreds of thousands of years, in contrast to the second, which is several thousand years at most.

The first people on the planet

It was the cavemen who, thanks to their work, eventually turned into modern man. At the same time, culture arose. At that time the communities were small. Their organization was the most primitive. As is life. Therefore, sometimes that period is called primitive. Initially, cave people were engaged in gathering and hunting, making stone tools for these purposes. In such communities, equality of rights and obligations prevailed, and there was no class discrimination. Relationships were built on the basis

According to scientists, the caveman appeared about 2.5 million years ago as a result of the evolution of Australopithecus. The main difference is the beginning of stone processing and the creation of primitive tools from it. With such tools, cavemen cut branches, butchered carcasses after hunting, split bones, and dug up roots from the ground. According to the classification of such people, it is customary to call a skillful person. Their abilities were limited to movement on their feet and the ability to hold a stone and a stick, minimal logical actions to make simple tools for hunting. The groups were small.

Pithecanthropus

About one million years ago, the Pithecanthropus, the ape-man, appeared. His brain size was much larger than that of his. Accordingly, he was able to make more complex tools. For example, scrapers, cutters of the correct geometric shape. However, the functions of tools remained the same: to dig, plan, hunt and butcher the results of the hunt. The beginning of the Ice Age significantly influenced the life and adaptation to natural disasters of cavemen. Man has adapted to life in many climatic zones and zones, and scientists find traces of Pithecanthropus in areas of Europe, Northern China and Africa. These signs say that the geography of habitat has expanded significantly. The emergence of land zones contributed to migration due to the lowering of the level of the World Ocean.

How cavemen used to live

Pithecanthropes often arranged their housing near water sources. The caveman already then understood that water sources are the habitat of animals and, therefore, a source of food. A significant number of dangers forced people to gather in large groups for security, as well as to facilitate hunting.

The life of a caveman. Neanderthal

The Neanderthal man appeared 250 thousand years ago. Homo sapiens evolved from Pithecanthropus as a result of the influence of the environment and the development of labor skills. This stage of human development was named after the valley in which its remains were first found. Outwardly, he already had a great resemblance to modern man. A low forehead, a rough physique, a sloping chin - these are the main distinguishing features that this caveman stood out for. The photographs, modeled on the remains, give an idea of ​​the strength and power that these creatures possessed.

Neanderthals massively populated areas such as the south of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The main dwellings were caves. Often the cave had to be beaten off from the bears who came there for hibernation. The power of the cavemen is also evidenced by the fact that they were able to kill these large animals, the length of which sometimes reached three meters. Mass remains of bear bones have been found in caves in many European countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and others.

Mental development of a caveman

Since the mental abilities of the Neanderthals were higher than those of the Pithecanthropes, the tools of labor were significantly improved. The quality of performance has improved significantly. Also, the form has become more correct and varied. The technology of processing stone material has accelerated. The main achievement of the Neanderthals was the ability to make fire.

The high level of mental development of cave people is evidenced by the fact that the tools found in different parts of the world differed from each other. That is, their development took place independently in different regions. As scientists suggest, during the same period, racial differences of people also appear. The physical data of ancient people are also changing, which directly depend on the region of their habitat.

The cultural level of the cavemen also increased. In groups, relationships become stronger. There is an understanding of generational change. And, consequently, Neanderthals begin to bury the dead with the help of primitive rites. Often burials were carried out in caves. The people of that time had a separate attitude towards skulls. Their burials were carried out in special pits, probably due to some beliefs or everyday customs.

Unlike Pithecanthropes, Homo sapiens did not abandon the sick and the destitute. Probably, people of that time already obtained food much more than was necessary for survival. Consequently, it became possible to support dependents.

Rites

Found artifacts of that time say that Neanderthals performed some kind of rituals. So, in several caves were found arranged in a certain order. Such an installation is very reminiscent of an altar for religious ceremonies.