The Neolithic (or "New" Stone Age)
This was a period described as the time when the development of human technology started with greater expectations, as this is traditionally the final part of the Stone Age.
Developments like building, constructions, farming enhancements, megalithic structures like the Stonehenge and Avebury Circle were all formed and are remembered as some of the greatest historical advancements Homo sapiens had made through the Neolithic era. It is not the first time history books have been rewritten due to the latest discoveries proving neither them wrong nor what may be the reason for altering their predictions. With the discovery of Neolithic remains at Flag Fen near Peterborough something similar happened. Books were re-written.
According to the remains, the Neolithic arrived in Britain with a lot of experience in hunting, farming and constructions etc which was contradicted in the book, hence allowing the recent facts to gain priority, modern archaeology now regards that Neolithic farming also involved pottery. Humans settled for a longer duration at a location and the native population grew considerably due to intermarriage, trade and other cultural ties. It was said that these humans had links with the continental Europe as many axes made from exotic stone like jadeite were found.
Another instance happened in 1997, when DNA analysis was performed on a tooth from a Mesolithic man whose remains were discovered in Gough's Cave at Cheddar Gorge. The results were strange when it was compared with the DNA of modern natives. It was found that one of the local native's DNA matched as if he/she was a direct descendant of that 9,000 year-old tooth of a man. This caused uncertainty of where the Neolithic human came from, had they immigrated from somewhere else, most probably Africa. As the historical examples were compared with the findings, things became too obvious and archaeologists agreed to believe that humans came from Africa.
The Neolithic era never had any wealth problems as no such wealth existed apart from the number of cattle one had at that time. Archaeologists explain about how wealthy man was at that time. The more cattle one had, the richer he was. With this kind of speculation, it was again assumed that there were no fights or wars for cattle as no such fighting tools existed and that this time period was a peaceful one. With the involvement of bows and arrows, fighting skills slowly grew enhancing there hunting skills.
This also lead societies development as groups were formed, farmers, artisans and leaders came into light, culture had new growth boundaries commonly know as the Neolithic Revolution. Food supplies were in good shape and the population was growing steadily and man was already building monuments like Stonehenge's and long barrows etc and tools and pottery were being made near the waterside.
Just before the very end of Neolithic Period the first metal appeared whilst the work on Stonehenge was being done marking a new era of Bronze Age where man lived only for copper and bronze artefacts, some of which were found and have been said to be at least 5000 years old. Original Authors: Rohit Maini
Edit Update Authors: M.Harris
Updated On: 24/07/2008
