Chapter 1—The Earliest Human Societies
ESSAY
1. Elaborate on the multidisciplinary nature of the study of prehistory.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion on the lack of sources, the field of anthropology, subfields
within anthropology and archaeology and the nature of the study of prehistory.
REF: p. 5-7
2. Describe life in Paleolithic society.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion of the hunter gatherer lifestyle and significant challenges and
issues including food procurement, cave art, group size, and conflicts among groups.
REF: p. 7-8
3. Trace the physical changes in humans from the hominid through the Neolithic Age and describe
their significance.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion of physical changes in humans and elaborate on the impact
of cranial size on human reasoning and adaptation to the environment.
REF: p. 5-11
4. Explain why the Agricultural Revolution was one of man's greatest changes.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion on sedentary versus nomadic lifestyle, resulting increase in
population, and development of complex societies. Above standard critical thinking would
include a discussion to the relevance of the issue today.
REF: p. 8-11
5. How did society change with agriculture?
ANS:
Answers would include diversification of labor, private property issues, gender issues in addition
to a treatment of agrarian civilizations and their social structures.
REF: p. 8-13
6. What role did metals play in Prehistoric times? Why has iron been called one of history's "key
metals"?
ANS:
Answers would include the evolution of metallurgy especially as it relates to bronze and iron. A
more thorough treatment of iron and warfare would be required along with a critical thinking
argument as to iron's significance to warfare.
REF: p. 14-15
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Before the beginning of the historical period, humans had
a. created art forms.
b. mastered agriculture.
c. developed religions.
d. made tools.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: E REF: p. 5
,2. Homo Sapiens originated in
a. Asia.
b. Europe.
c. North America.
d. East Africa.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 5
3. Which of the following specialists is essential to understanding ancient writing?
a. paleoanthropologists
b. paleoenvironmentalists
c. paleographers
d. None of the options are correct.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: C REF: p. 7
4. Prehistory refers to the period before
a. the last Ice Age.
b. the development of writing.
c. the use of fire.
d. the appearance of hominids.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: B REF: p. 6-7
5. Which of the following marks the beginning of the Paleolithic Age?
a. cave art
b. stone tools
c. Cro-Magnon man
d. Venus figurines
e. iron production
ANS: B REF: p. 7
6. In which of the following ways was Paleolithic society different from today?
a. Urban development.
b. Complex developed cultures.
c. Particular metals and tools.
d. The family unit was larger.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 7
7. The most crucial factor in the success of the Paleolithic family was
a. the bravery of a few individuals.
b. relations with outside groups.
c. skill in hunting and child bearing.
d. skill in warfare.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: B REF: p. 7
8. Paleolithic hunting and gathering groups usually numbered no more than
a. 60
b. 25
c. 100
, d. 40
e. 5
ANS: D REF: p. 7
9. Which of the following problems could cause conflict with hunter and gatherer groups?
a. theft
b. water scarcity
c. territorial claims
d. All of the options are correct.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 7
10. Which of the following changed in humans during the Paleolithic Age?
a. mental capacity
b. family size
c. art
d. hunting tools
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: A REF: p. 7
11. Past forms of humans died out due to
a. a lack of emphasis on fertility in the culture.
b. an inability to adapt to environmental changes.
c. a diminished ability to reason over time.
d. natural disasters.
e. almost no hierarchy in societal development.
ANS: B REF: p. 8
12. Homo Sapiens physically changed in the Paleolithic Age with
a. sharper eyesight.
b. shorter arms.
c. larger hips.
d. larger skulls.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: E REF: p. 8
13. The modifications humans made in the Paleolithic indicate an ability to
a. adapt.
b. manipulate the environment.
c. communicate.
d. organize.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: E REF: p. 8
14. Which of the following would be associated with the Neolithic Age?
a. Hunting mammoth and gathering grasses.
b. Living in caves and painting horses.
c. Primarily scavenging for food.
d. Choosing livestock specifically for breeding.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 8
, 15. By the end of the Paleolithic Age, groups were ____ nomadic.
a. more
b. less
c. not
d. completely
e. seasonally
ANS: B REF: p. 8
16. The intentional use of fire indicates
a. a manipulation of the environment.
b. a change in the food that was eaten.
c. a reliance on agriculture.
d. a social organization.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: A REF: p. 8
17. Which of the following was true of the Agricultural Revolution?
a. The development of agriculture usually occurred over a 50-100 year period.
b. Agriculture first emerged in the Near East and then gradually spread into Asia and Africa.
c. Agriculture developed in at least seven separate areas at about the same time.
d. People began to use agricultural practices in northern China much earlier than in West
Africa.
e. Every society of people in the world has now experienced a true agricultural revolution.
ANS: C REF: p. 8-10
18. All of the following are considered developments of the Neolithic Age EXCEPT
a. privately owned property.
b. specialization of labor.
c. enlarged public roles for women.
d. the family unit.
e. settlement of people in permanent locations.
ANS: D REF: p. 9-10
19. Which of the following is necessary for Neolithic populations to grow?
a. More women than men.
b. Domesticated draft animals.
c. Intensive dependable agriculture.
d. Use of fire and stone tools.
e. Both A and D.
ANS: C REF: p. 10
20. What aspect about women explains the Neolithic emphasis on women in religion?
a. Their ability to have children.
b. Their physical appeal.
c. Their stronger body.
d. Their larger brains.
e. Their perceived moral superiority.
ANS: A REF: p. 10
21. Which of the following artifacts appears to be evidence of a female centered religion in
Neolithic society?
a. Venus figurines
ESSAY
1. Elaborate on the multidisciplinary nature of the study of prehistory.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion on the lack of sources, the field of anthropology, subfields
within anthropology and archaeology and the nature of the study of prehistory.
REF: p. 5-7
2. Describe life in Paleolithic society.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion of the hunter gatherer lifestyle and significant challenges and
issues including food procurement, cave art, group size, and conflicts among groups.
REF: p. 7-8
3. Trace the physical changes in humans from the hominid through the Neolithic Age and describe
their significance.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion of physical changes in humans and elaborate on the impact
of cranial size on human reasoning and adaptation to the environment.
REF: p. 5-11
4. Explain why the Agricultural Revolution was one of man's greatest changes.
ANS:
Answers would include a discussion on sedentary versus nomadic lifestyle, resulting increase in
population, and development of complex societies. Above standard critical thinking would
include a discussion to the relevance of the issue today.
REF: p. 8-11
5. How did society change with agriculture?
ANS:
Answers would include diversification of labor, private property issues, gender issues in addition
to a treatment of agrarian civilizations and their social structures.
REF: p. 8-13
6. What role did metals play in Prehistoric times? Why has iron been called one of history's "key
metals"?
ANS:
Answers would include the evolution of metallurgy especially as it relates to bronze and iron. A
more thorough treatment of iron and warfare would be required along with a critical thinking
argument as to iron's significance to warfare.
REF: p. 14-15
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Before the beginning of the historical period, humans had
a. created art forms.
b. mastered agriculture.
c. developed religions.
d. made tools.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: E REF: p. 5
,2. Homo Sapiens originated in
a. Asia.
b. Europe.
c. North America.
d. East Africa.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 5
3. Which of the following specialists is essential to understanding ancient writing?
a. paleoanthropologists
b. paleoenvironmentalists
c. paleographers
d. None of the options are correct.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: C REF: p. 7
4. Prehistory refers to the period before
a. the last Ice Age.
b. the development of writing.
c. the use of fire.
d. the appearance of hominids.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: B REF: p. 6-7
5. Which of the following marks the beginning of the Paleolithic Age?
a. cave art
b. stone tools
c. Cro-Magnon man
d. Venus figurines
e. iron production
ANS: B REF: p. 7
6. In which of the following ways was Paleolithic society different from today?
a. Urban development.
b. Complex developed cultures.
c. Particular metals and tools.
d. The family unit was larger.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 7
7. The most crucial factor in the success of the Paleolithic family was
a. the bravery of a few individuals.
b. relations with outside groups.
c. skill in hunting and child bearing.
d. skill in warfare.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: B REF: p. 7
8. Paleolithic hunting and gathering groups usually numbered no more than
a. 60
b. 25
c. 100
, d. 40
e. 5
ANS: D REF: p. 7
9. Which of the following problems could cause conflict with hunter and gatherer groups?
a. theft
b. water scarcity
c. territorial claims
d. All of the options are correct.
e. None of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 7
10. Which of the following changed in humans during the Paleolithic Age?
a. mental capacity
b. family size
c. art
d. hunting tools
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: A REF: p. 7
11. Past forms of humans died out due to
a. a lack of emphasis on fertility in the culture.
b. an inability to adapt to environmental changes.
c. a diminished ability to reason over time.
d. natural disasters.
e. almost no hierarchy in societal development.
ANS: B REF: p. 8
12. Homo Sapiens physically changed in the Paleolithic Age with
a. sharper eyesight.
b. shorter arms.
c. larger hips.
d. larger skulls.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: E REF: p. 8
13. The modifications humans made in the Paleolithic indicate an ability to
a. adapt.
b. manipulate the environment.
c. communicate.
d. organize.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: E REF: p. 8
14. Which of the following would be associated with the Neolithic Age?
a. Hunting mammoth and gathering grasses.
b. Living in caves and painting horses.
c. Primarily scavenging for food.
d. Choosing livestock specifically for breeding.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: D REF: p. 8
, 15. By the end of the Paleolithic Age, groups were ____ nomadic.
a. more
b. less
c. not
d. completely
e. seasonally
ANS: B REF: p. 8
16. The intentional use of fire indicates
a. a manipulation of the environment.
b. a change in the food that was eaten.
c. a reliance on agriculture.
d. a social organization.
e. All of the options are correct.
ANS: A REF: p. 8
17. Which of the following was true of the Agricultural Revolution?
a. The development of agriculture usually occurred over a 50-100 year period.
b. Agriculture first emerged in the Near East and then gradually spread into Asia and Africa.
c. Agriculture developed in at least seven separate areas at about the same time.
d. People began to use agricultural practices in northern China much earlier than in West
Africa.
e. Every society of people in the world has now experienced a true agricultural revolution.
ANS: C REF: p. 8-10
18. All of the following are considered developments of the Neolithic Age EXCEPT
a. privately owned property.
b. specialization of labor.
c. enlarged public roles for women.
d. the family unit.
e. settlement of people in permanent locations.
ANS: D REF: p. 9-10
19. Which of the following is necessary for Neolithic populations to grow?
a. More women than men.
b. Domesticated draft animals.
c. Intensive dependable agriculture.
d. Use of fire and stone tools.
e. Both A and D.
ANS: C REF: p. 10
20. What aspect about women explains the Neolithic emphasis on women in religion?
a. Their ability to have children.
b. Their physical appeal.
c. Their stronger body.
d. Their larger brains.
e. Their perceived moral superiority.
ANS: A REF: p. 10
21. Which of the following artifacts appears to be evidence of a female centered religion in
Neolithic society?
a. Venus figurines
