The Paleolithic period lasted from around 5-7,000 BC, a time of climate fluctuations including ice ages. Neanderthals lived in nomadic hunter-gatherer groups of 20-30 people. They hunted and fished for food, made stone tools, and had religious beliefs like burying the dead. Cave paintings from this period depict animals and scenes in red and black paint, showing what these early humans observed. Carved figurines of animals and fertility symbols were also created from bone and ivory.

1. PALEOLITHIC

3.  Neanderthals

7.  WHAT?
 OLD STONE
 WHEN?
 5.000.000 B.C. to 7.000 B.C.
 WHAT WAS CLIMATE LIKE?
 Some very cold periods in which the Earth
was totally covered with ice, some milder
periods.

8.  Predators. (Hunting and fishing)
 Gathered fruits, honey, eggs…

9.  In caves or shelters
 They were nomads: moved to find food.

10.  Hierarchical: the wisest, the strongest, the
witch doctor were the most important people.
 Hordes: groups of 20 to 30 people,
sometimes they formed a tribe.
 They shared the tasks…

12. Tended the fire.
Caught little animals.
Prepared animal skins.
Took care of the children.

15.  They hunted, fished, made tools, protected
the tribe:

17.  They had religious beliefs:
◦ Buried the dead
◦ Believed in the forces of nature.

18.  CAVE PAINTINGS
 BATONS
 VENUS STATUES

19.  WHERE?
ON ROCKS, CEILLINGS AND WALLS OF THE
CAVES.
WHY?
TO CATCH THE ANIMALS MAGICALLY
TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES
TO EXPRESS WHAT THEY HAD SEEN.

20.  How?
 Animals standing alone or in groups.
 Very realistic.
 Polychrome: red, black, ochre.
 Sometimes in protruding parts of the rock to
give an impression of relief.
 Paint was applied with the fingers, brushes or
spatulas.

25.  Small carved pieces of bone and horn in the
shape of the head of a horse or a deer.

26.  MATERIALS: ivory, stone,bone.
 Fertility symbols: feminine physical features
very exaggerated.