The Stone Age
KS2 history
Do you know what life was like in the Stone Age? Join Rowan the Reindeer and Cavewoman as they learn about Stone Age animals, homes and tools.
The Stone Age
KS2 history
Do you know what life was like in the Stone Age? Join Rowan the Reindeer and Cavewoman as they learn about Stone Age animals, homes and tools.
When was the Stone Age?
The Stone Age began around 2 million years ago. Back then, people used pieces of flint to make tools. We have one here at Stump Cross!
This was
60 million years after the dinosaurs became extinct. In the Stone Age, humans lived alongside animals like the woolly mammoth, elephants, giant oxen, hippos and cave lions. You can find out more about Stone Age animals here.
The Stone Age happened in three parts:
- The Palaeolithic Age
- The Mesolithic Age
- The Neolithic Age
Things changed a lot during the Stone Age – but all this time, humans used stone to make tools. We didn't know how to use metal yet.
When was the Stone Age?
The Stone Age began around 2 million years ago. Back then, people used pieces of flint to make tools. We have one here at Stump Cross!
This was
60 million years after the dinosaurs became extinct. In the Stone Age, humans lived alongside animals like the woolly mammoth, elephants, giant oxen, hippos and cave lions. You can find out more about Stone Age animals here.
The Stone Age happened in three parts:
- The Palaeolithic Age
- The Mesolithic Age
- The Neolithic Age
Things changed a lot during the Stone Age – but all this time, humans used stone to make tools. We didn't know how to use metal yet.
The Palaeolithic Age – around 50,000 years ago
At this time, Britain was going through an Ice Age. The country was covered in ice and snow. It was freezing!
Because of the cold climate, people lived in caves. There was no electricity or central heating to keep them warm.
People were hunter-gatherers. This meant that they hunted animals and gathered berries, nuts and vegetables for food. They hunted with sharp stones wrapped onto sticks.
There were no knives and forks. People used bits of flint to cut their meat.
They also drew on cave walls. In Nottinghamshire, there are drawings of deer, women and birds that are over 12,000 years old!
The Palaeolithic Age – around 50,000 years ago
At this time, Britain was going through an Ice Age. The country was covered in ice and snow. It was freezing!
Because of the cold climate, people lived in caves. There was no electricity or central heating to keep them warm.
People were hunter-gatherers. This meant that they hunted animals and gathered berries, nuts and vegetables for food. They hunted with sharp stones wrapped onto sticks.
There were no knives and forks. People used bits of flint to cut their meat.
They also drew on cave walls. In Nottinghamshire, there are drawings of deer, women and birds that are over 12,000 years old!
The Mesolithic Age – around 10,000 years ago
In the Mesolithic Age, the climate got warmer. This meant that people's homes became more comfortable – but still a long way from today's houses! Instead of caves, they now lived in huts made from straw, wood and mud.
These were made from poles covered with animal skin or straw. They were
nomads. This means that they moved from place to place, usually near water.
They still hunted animals with spears, but learnt how to store nuts and berries over winter.
It was at this time that people started making pottery. They also kept dogs as pets!
The Mesolithic Age – around 10,000 years ago
In the Mesolithic Age, the climate got warmer. This meant that people's homes became more comfortable – but still a long way from today's houses! Instead of caves, they now lived in huts made from straw, wood and mud.
These were made from poles covered with animal skin or straw. They were
nomads. This means that they moved from place to place, usually near water.
They still hunted animals with spears, but learnt how to store nuts and berries over winter.
It was at this time that people started making pottery. They also kept dogs as pets!
The Palaeolithic Age – around 50,000 years ago
At this time, Britain was going through an Ice Age. The country was covered in ice and snow. It was freezing!
Because of the cold climate, people lived in caves. There was no electricity or central heating to keep them warm.
People were hunter-gatherers. This meant that they hunted animals and gathered berries, nuts and vegetables for food. They hunted with sharp stones wrapped onto sticks.
There were no knives and forks. People used bits of flint to cut their meat.
They also drew on cave walls. In Nottinghamshire, there are drawings of deer, women and birds that are over 12,000 years old!
The Mesolithic Age – around 10,000 years ago
In the Mesolithic Age, the climate got warmer. This meant that people's homes became more comfortable – but still a long way from today's houses! Instead of caves, they now lived in huts made from straw, wood and mud.
These were made from poles covered with animal skin or straw. They were
nomads. This means that they moved from place to place, usually near water.
They still hunted animals with spears, but learnt how to store nuts and berries over winter.
It was at this time that people started making pottery. They also kept dogs as pets!
The Neolithic Age – about 6,000 years ago
Before the Neolithic Age, people lived in small groups. But now they started to build small villages.
Things were still a lot more basic than today. But they were now hunting with bows and arrows. They also built small canoes and caught fish with nets. They carved stones into arrows and fishing hooks.
They also built little farms where they planted seeds and kept animals.
As well as cave drawings, they also now made jewellery and necklaces out of stone.
The Neolithic Age – about 6,000 years ago
Before the Neolithic Age, people lived in small groups. But now they started to build small villages.
Things were still a lot more basic than today. But they were now hunting with bows and arrows. They also built small canoes and caught fish with nets. They carved stones into arrows and fishing hooks.
They also built little farms where they planted seeds and kept animals.
As well as cave drawings, they also now made jewellery and necklaces out of stone.
The Neolithic Age – about 6,000 years ago
Before the Neolithic Age, people lived in small groups. But now they started to build small villages.
Things were still a lot more basic than today. But they were now hunting with bows and arrows. They also built small canoes and caught fish with nets. They carved stones into arrows and fishing hooks.
They also built little farms where they planted seeds and kept animals.
As well as cave drawings, they also now made jewellery and necklaces out of stone.
Why did the Stone Age end?
The Stone Age ended because humans started using bronze to make tools. This was called – you guessed it! – the Bronze Age. It was at this time that farming became much more common too.
What have you learnt? Take our fun Stone Age quiz to find out!
Why did the Stone Age end?
The Stone Age ended because humans started using bronze to make tools. This was called – you guessed it! – the Bronze Age. It was at this time that farming became much more common too.
What have you learnt? Take our fun Stone Age quiz to find out!
Stump Cross Caverns
Greenhow Hill
Pateley Bridge
Yorkshire
HG3 5JL
All Rights Reserved | Stump Cross Limited
Crafted with creativity and marketing savvy by My Digital Hero
Stump Cross Caverns
Greenhow Hill
Pateley Bridge
Yorkshire
HG3 5JL
enquiries@stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk
Stump Cross Caverns
Greenhow Hill
Pateley Bridge
Yorkshire
HG3 5JL
enquiries@stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk
All Rights Reserved | Stump Cross Limited