Paleolithic Innovations
Innovations of the Upper Paleolithic
The Upper Paleolithic can be considered a turning point in the evolution of human beings. During the Upper Paleolithic various cultural innovations changed the way people would like their lives from that point forward. Perhaps the most important of these innovations being stone tools and blades, the domestication of dogs, art, and evolution of self-identity.
The manufacturing of stone tools and blades was very apparent during the Upper Paleolithic The emergence of the flaking technique allowed the people of this time to “make thin, beautiful, leaf shaped points in several sizes. Some of these points were used for spear, and some perhaps for arrows, while others may have served …show more content…
There are two different types of art from this period called mural and portable. Paintings and carvings in cave walls are considered mural art, and were extremely important to the people of the Upper Paleolithic era. These were some of the first examples of humans recording knowledge into a less perishable form. This allowed people to pass information along even after they have died, which helped the cultures of the time develop knowledge and skills more thoroughly. Cultures in the Upper Paleolithic era also created masks, statues, and other small figures which could be carried, called portable art. This type of art was more common in larger settlements, indicating that it was often used for ceremonies and other large gatherings. The “Venus Figurines,” found throughout a large portion of Europe, were statues that had exaggerated female characteristics. These statutes often depicted women who were pregnant, holding cornucopias, or with outlined pubic areas, which shows the importance of fertility and ceremony to early humans. The Venus of Vestonice, uncovered in the Dolni Vestonice site, was found in a common area near a large fire pit, further demonstrating the link between ceremony and art. This relationship has continued to develop into the modern era, and is exemplified by the use of birthday cakes, crosses used in church, and many more decorations …show more content…
Remains in Europe have shown that various body decorations such as beads or pendants made were made from shells, bone, and other small items. “These are considered to communicate the self-awareness and identity of the individual as well as the social group. No similar objects, and therefore no clear signs for the identity of social units, were recorded in middle Paleolithic contexts”(Bar-Yosef, p. 367). These people wanted to be recognized as part of a group, but also placed importance on individuality. In today’s society people wear different types of jewelry and clothes, dye their hair, and get tattoos in order to express their independent identity. In addition, most personal items people use on a daily basis are available for customization and personalization. The massive amount of self-expression available in modern society demonstrates the significance of the development of individuality in the Upper Paleolithic
The Upper Paleolithic can be considered a turning point in the evolution of human beings. During the Upper Paleolithic various cultural innovations changed the way people would like their lives from that point forward. Perhaps the most important of these innovations being stone tools and blades, the domestication of dogs, art, and evolution of self-identity.
The manufacturing of stone tools and blades was very apparent during the Upper Paleolithic The emergence of the flaking technique allowed the people of this time to “make thin, beautiful, leaf shaped points in several sizes. Some of these points were used for spear, and some perhaps for arrows, while others may have served …show more content…
There are two different types of art from this period called mural and portable. Paintings and carvings in cave walls are considered mural art, and were extremely important to the people of the Upper Paleolithic era. These were some of the first examples of humans recording knowledge into a less perishable form. This allowed people to pass information along even after they have died, which helped the cultures of the time develop knowledge and skills more thoroughly. Cultures in the Upper Paleolithic era also created masks, statues, and other small figures which could be carried, called portable art. This type of art was more common in larger settlements, indicating that it was often used for ceremonies and other large gatherings. The “Venus Figurines,” found throughout a large portion of Europe, were statues that had exaggerated female characteristics. These statutes often depicted women who were pregnant, holding cornucopias, or with outlined pubic areas, which shows the importance of fertility and ceremony to early humans. The Venus of Vestonice, uncovered in the Dolni Vestonice site, was found in a common area near a large fire pit, further demonstrating the link between ceremony and art. This relationship has continued to develop into the modern era, and is exemplified by the use of birthday cakes, crosses used in church, and many more decorations …show more content…
Remains in Europe have shown that various body decorations such as beads or pendants made were made from shells, bone, and other small items. “These are considered to communicate the self-awareness and identity of the individual as well as the social group. No similar objects, and therefore no clear signs for the identity of social units, were recorded in middle Paleolithic contexts”(Bar-Yosef, p. 367). These people wanted to be recognized as part of a group, but also placed importance on individuality. In today’s society people wear different types of jewelry and clothes, dye their hair, and get tattoos in order to express their independent identity. In addition, most personal items people use on a daily basis are available for customization and personalization. The massive amount of self-expression available in modern society demonstrates the significance of the development of individuality in the Upper Paleolithic