Lower Paleolithic
Lower Paleolithic
The Lower Paleolithic, also recognized as the earliest subdivision of the Paleolithic era, marks an epoch in human prehistory distinguished by the initial development of early stone tools. This period spans roughly from 3.3 million to 300,000 years ago, encompassing a substantial part of the Stone Age.
Early Hominins and Tool Development
During the Lower Paleolithic, early hominins began to invent and utilize tools, marking a pivotal advancement in their ability to manipulate the environment for survival purposes. The tool-making techniques seen in this era represent the initial steps towards complex technological development, such as:
- Oldowan Industry: Known as the earliest stone tool industry, it is characterized by its simple flaked tools. This industry is named after the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, where some of the earliest hominin artifacts were discovered.
- Acheulean Industry: Following the Oldowan, the Acheulean period introduced more sophisticated tools, including hand axes and cleavers, notable for their symmetry and refinement. The Acheulean is linked to Homo erectus and other hominins.
Discoveries and Archaeological Sites
Significant archaeological discoveries have contributed to our understanding of the Lower Paleolithic, such as:
- Homo habilis: Often credited as one of the first toolmakers, this species lived around 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago in eastern and southern Africa.
- Homo erectus: This species appeared around 1.9 million years ago and is believed to have mastered the use of fire, a critical development that may have occurred during this period.
One notable archaeological site is located in the Pinjore region near Chandigarh, where quartzite tools dating back to the Lower Paleolithic period were found, indicating the presence of early hominins in the area.
Cultural and Technological Evolution
The Lower Paleolithic also saw the advent of early cultural expressions and social structures among hominins, although concrete evidence of religion during this period remains speculative. The subsequent Middle Paleolithic period witnessed the advent of more advanced tool-making techniques, such as the Mousterian industry, which features prepared-core technologies.
The ability to control fire is another transformative development attributed to this era; however, whether its mastery began in the Lower or Middle Paleolithic is still debated among scholars.