The evidence of the Paleolithic Era
I can explain what archaeologists think they know about the Paleolithic Era and the evidence it is based on.
The evidence of the Paleolithic Era
I can explain what archaeologists think they know about the Paleolithic Era and the evidence it is based on.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Paleolithic Era took place between two million years ago and ten thousand years ago.
- Many of the types of Paleolithic human who lived in Britain used stone tools, which were often made of flint.
- These tools, especially hand axes, are some of the main sources of evidence archaeologists have for this period.
- Archaeologists have worked out how Paleolithic humans might have used their hand axes.
- Archaeologists think that they probably used them to skin animals for clothing and strip branches for fire and shelter.
Keywords
Paleolithic Era - the Paleolithic Era is a time in history, sometimes called the Early Stone Age
Nomadic - someone who doesn't settle in one place to live is nomadic
Hand axe - a hand axe is a prehistoric tool used for cutting
Flint - flint is a type of stone that was used to make tools in the past
Common misconception
All humans living in the Stone Age were Homo sapiens.
Ensure pupils understand that there were different types of humans such as Neanderthals.
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: The evidence of the Paleolithic Era, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: The evidence of the Paleolithic Era, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Stone Age Britain: what do archaeologists think they know about it? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Trays of sand, laminated pictures of Paleolithic hand axes, footprints and bones.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a period in time when stone was used to make tools
a period in time before written records and writing systems
a period in time often called the Early Stone Age