Upper Palaeolithic

Modern Humans (''i.e. Homo sapiens sapiens''), emerged around 100,000 years ago and began migrating Out Of Africa during the Middle Paleolithic period. Until around 40,000 years ago, the lifestyle of the humans changed little from that of their predecessors. But then, relatively suddenly, they began to produce regionally distinctive Cultures , using new technologies, more efficient hunting techniques and having a more refined aesthetic sensibility. This shift from Middle to Upper Paleolithic is called the Upper Paleolithic Revolution. The Neanderthal s continued to use Mousterian Stone Tool technology. Australian Aborigine are generally believed to have settled in Australia between 40,000 years and 50,000 years ago and hold the oldest known human Culture .

The earliest remains of organised Settlements in the form of Campsite s, some with storage Pit s, are encountered in this period. These were often located in narrow Valley bottoms, possibly in order to make Hunt ing passing Herd s of animals easier. Some sites may have been occupied year round though more generally they seem to have been used Seasonal ly with peoples moving between them to exploit different Food Source s at different times of the year.

Technological Advance s included significant developments in Flint Tool manufacturing with Industries based on fine Blade s rather than simpler and shorter Flake s. Burin s and Racloir s attest to the working of Bone , Antler and Hide s. Advanced Dart s and Harpoon s also appear in this period.

Artistic Work also blossomed with Venus Figurine s, Cave Painting , Petroglyph s and exotic Raw Material s found far from their sources suggest emergent trading links. More complex Social Grouping s emerged, supported by more varied and reliable food sources and specialised Tool types. This probably contributed to increasing group identification or Ethnicity . These group identities produced distinctive Symbols and Ritual s which are an important part of modern human behaviour.

The reasons for these changes in human behaviour have been attributed to the changes in Climate during the period which encompasses a number of global Temperature drops, meaning a worsening of the already bitter climate of the Last Ice Age . These may have reduced the supply of usable Timber and forced people to look at other materials whilst flint becomes brittle at low temperatures and may not have functioned as a tool.

It has also been argued that the appearance of , see Proto-language .

CULTURES

Information About

Upper Palaeolithic