Life in Prehistory: From Paleolithic to the Metal Age

Life in the Paleolithic Era

I am a child living in the early Paleolithic period in the warm regions of Africa. We are nomads, moving constantly in search of water and food. We inhabit caves or temporary huts, staying only as long as the local fruits and animals are available.

Our tribe consists of 20 to 40 people who support one another. My grandfather is a tribal elder, helping to lead and guide us. We craft tools from stone, such as arrowheads and scrapers, as well as wood and bone for harpoons and needles. We create clothing by sewing animal skins together with these needles to protect ourselves from the cold.

My daily life involves:

• Gathering: I accompany my mother to collect plants and fruits.
• Hunting and Fishing: My father works to provide meat for the group.

We believe in spirits that influence our success in hunting, our growth, and the causes of disease or death. To honor them, we create rock art on cave walls, using minerals mixed with egg to create polychrome paintings applied with animal skins.

Life in the Neolithic Era

I am a child living in the Neolithic period. We have settled near a river to irrigate our crops and tend to our livestock. We no longer rely solely on foraging; we now consume meat and milk from the animals we keep in enclosures.

Our advancements include:

• Polished Stone Tools: More efficient than previous designs.
• Textiles and Pottery: New inventions for daily use.
• Division of Labor: Everyone has a role, from farming to crafting.

We bury our dead in urns, believing they continue their journey. Our art has evolved into diagrammatic human representations, and we engage in trade with neighboring towns, exchanging prestige objects.

The Age of Metals

I live in the final stage of prehistory, residing in fortified settlements with walls, led by kings and tribal leaders. This era has brought significant technological breakthroughs:

• Transportation: The invention of the wheel facilitates trade, while sailboats with sails allow for faster travel.
• Agriculture: The plow has revolutionized how we farm.
• Megalithic Architecture: We construct impressive structures including menhirs, dolmens, and cromlechs.

We practice cremation for our dead and continue to create intricate art as our society grows more complex.