Connecting To Technology

CONNECTING TO TECHNOLOGY

Stone Tools Did you know that Stone Age people’s tools weren’t as primitive as we might think? They made knife blades and arrowheads—like the one shown below—out of volcanic glass called obsidian. The obsidian blades were very sharp. In fact, they could be 100 times sharper and smoother than the steel blades used for surgery in modern hospitals. Today some doctors are going back to using these Stone Age materials. They have found that blades made from obsidian are more precise than modern scalpels. Some doctors use obsidian blades for delicate surgery on the face because the stone tools leave “nicer-looking.” scars. Drawing Conclusions How do you think modern obsidian blades are different from Stone Age ones?

Hunter–Gatherers

Hunter–Gatherers

Early people were hunter–gatherers. They hunted animals and gathered wild plants to survive. Life for these hunter–gatherers was difficult and dangerous. Still, people learned how to make tools, use fire, and even create art.

The early humans of the Stone Age were hunter-gatherers—people who huntanimals and gather wild plants, seeds, fruits, and nuts to survive. Anthropologists believe that most Stone Age hunters were men. They hunted in groups, sometimes chasing entire herds of animals over cliffs. This method was both more productive and safer than hunting alone.

Women in hunter-gatherer societies probably took responsibility for collecting plants to eat. They likely stayed near camps and took care of children.

Analyze: What tools are people using in this picture?