The primitive era of mankind is a period that lasted until the invention of writing. In the XIX century, it received a slightly different name - “prehistoric”. If you do not delve into the meaning of this term, then it unites completely the entire time period, starting from the emergence of the Universe. But in a narrower perception, we are only talking about the past of a human species, which lasted until a certain period (it was mentioned above). If the media, scientists or other people use the word "prehistoric" in official sources, then the period in question is necessarily indicated.
Although the characteristics of the primitive era were formed bit by bit by researchers for several centuries in a row, the discoveries of new facts concerning that time are still being made. Due to the lack of written language, people compare the data of archaeological, biological, ethnographic, geographical and other sciences for this.
The development of the primitive era
Throughout the development of mankind, various classifications of prehistoric time have been constantly proposed. The historians Ferguson and Morgan divided the primitive society into several stages: savagery, barbarism and civilization. The primitive era of mankind, including the first two components, is divided into three periods:
- Wildness was characterized by equality of people. Residents were engaged in hunting, fishing, and gathering ready-made food (berries, fruits, vegetables). The scientist Morgan broke wildness into several periods. The lowest degree is characterized by the appearance of underdeveloped speech, the middle - by the use of fire in everyday life and fishing, and the highest began from the moment the onion was invented.
- During the period of barbarism, the population first began to engage in agriculture, to raise livestock (middle stage). The appearance of pottery is the lowest level of this time. Higher was marked by the first use of iron in the economy.
- At the stage of civilization, the first states, cities, writing, etc. were formed.
Stone Age
The primitive era received its periodization. The main stages can be distinguished, among which was the Stone Age. At this time, all weapons and objects for everyday life were made, as you might guess, of stone. Sometimes people used wood and bones in their work. Closer dishes appeared closer to the end of the indicated period. Thanks to the achievements of this century, the area of distribution on the inhabited territories of the planet of man has changed significantly, and also as a result of it, human evolution began. We are talking about anthropogenesis, that is, the process of the emergence of intelligent beings on the planet. The end of the Stone Age was marked by the taming of wild animals and the beginning of the smelting of certain metals.
According to time periods, the primitive era, to which this century belongs, was divided into stages:
- Paleolithic. Broken into lower, middle and highest. This period is "responsible" for the emergence and spread of humanoid individuals.
- Mesolithic. Glaciers are melting; technological progress moves, the first scientific achievements appear.
- Neolithic. At this time, agriculture appears.
Copper age
The epochs of primitive society, having a chronological sequence, differently characterize the development and formation of life. In different territorial areas, the period lasted for different times (or did not exist at all). Eneolithic could connect with the Bronze Age, although scientists still distinguish it in a separate period. The approximate time period is 3-4 thousand years BC. It is logical to assume that this primitive era was usually characterized by the use of copper devices. However, the stone did not go out of fashion. Acquaintance with new material was quite slow. Finding it, people thought it was a stone. Ordinary treatment at that time — blows in one piece against another — did not produce the usual effect, but copper nevertheless deformed. With the introduction of cold forging into everyday life, work with it went better.
Bronze Age
This primitive era has become one of the main, according to some scholars. People learned to process certain materials (tin, copper), due to which they achieved the appearance of bronze. Thanks to this invention, at the end of the century, collapse began, which occurred quite synchronously. We are talking about the destruction of human associations - civilizations. This entailed the long formation of the Iron Age in a certain area and the prolonged extension of the Bronze Age. The latter in the eastern part of the planet lasted a record number of decades. It ended with the advent of Greece and Rome. The century is divided into three periods: early, middle and late. In all these periods, the architecture of that time was actively developing. It was she who influenced the formation of religion and the worldview of society.
Iron Age
Considering the era of primitive history, we can conclude that the Iron Age was the last before the advent of reasonable writing. Simply put, this century was conditionally set aside as objects from iron appeared, they were widely used in all areas of life.
Iron smelting was a laborious process for that century. After all, it was impossible to get real material. This is due to the fact that it is easily susceptible to corrosion and does not withstand many climatic changes. In order to get it from ore, a much higher temperature was required than for bronze. And casting from iron was mastered after too long a period of time.
Emergence of power
Of course, the emergence of power was not long in coming. Leaders in society have always been, even when it comes to the primitive era. Institutions of power did not exist during this period, and there was no political dominance. Here, greater emphasis was placed on social norms. They invested in customs, "laws of life", traditions. In the primitive system, all requirements were explained in sign language, and their violations were punished with the help of an outcast from society.