UNIT 11

1. PREHISTORY

It began four million years ago when humans first appeared.

It’s divided into three main areas:

-          the Palaeolithic

-          the Neolithic

-          the Metal Ages

 

1.1           THE PALAEOLITHIC

-It began in Europe a million years ago when the first humans arrived from Africa.

-People were nomads. They lived in small groups that moved often to search for food.

-They lived from hunting, fishing and gathering wild fruit.

-They lived in caves and huts and they used tools that they made out of bone, stone or wood.

-          They learnt to use fire for cooking and heating.

 

1.2           THE NEOLITHIC ERA

-It began in 8.000 BC when people discovered animal and crop farming. So, agriculture started.

-          People started villages near their fields.

-          They made megaliths (large stone monuments that they used as tombs)

-          They invented pottery. They also learnt how to make cheese or wine and to weave the wool from their animals.

1.3           THE METAL AGES

 

-          It started around 3.500 BC

-          People learnt to make tools out of metal. They used copper, bronze and iron.

-          At the end of this period, the first cities arose. People exchanged in the cities.

1.4           PREHISTORY IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Remains from all periods of Prehistory are preserved in the Iberian Peninsula.

For example:

-          Human fossils in Atapuerca, Burgos (Palaeolithic)

-          Samples of cardium pottery in Cataluña, Levante and Andalucía (Neolithic)

-          Large villages like Los Millares or El Argar, Almería (Metal Ages)

 

ACTIVITIES

1.  Fill in the gaps about the Palaeolithic era.

 

-       People lived from   ________________ , ______________________  and   _______________________________________________________.

-       They used tools that they made out of   _________________, ______________ or  __________________ .

-       They were ________________ so they moved often to search for food.

-       The Palaeolithic era began in Europe _________________________  when the first humans arrived from Africa.

 

2.  Write three facts you know that happened in the Paleolithic era.

 

3.  Write three facts you know that happened in the Neolithic era.

4      Can you tell which metals were used in the Metal Ages?

        

    5.. Match the remains to the right periods.

          -  Megaliths                                       The Palaeolithic

          - Cave paintings                                The Metal Ages

          - Los Millares                                    The Neolithic