Shelters

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We have evidence of shelters since the beginning of human history. Most early, pre-Ice Age humans occupied caves, rock shelters, or natural shelters before they began construction ones of stone, wood, and other material. Humans, Homo Sapiens began habitation and occupation all around the globe, and were dominant during the Ice Ages. They survived two Ice Ages, while the last Ice Age was an extinction level event for most, if not all, megafauna. During the Ice Ages, contrary to popular imagination, humans were not all “cavemen”, nor were all the populations living in deep caves. It was more likely during these cold periods, more built large sturdy rock shelters into natural overhangs, cliff faces, or natural shelters. They would have also made extensive modifications and fortifications. These shelters would have been weatherproofed including foliage, branches, woodworks, and draping larage animal hides from overhangs to block out cold winds. A fire pit or hearth would have been located inside. When hunters followed game and food, they often first b uilt dome shaped huts or tents, some of which were made out of mammoth bones during the Ice Age and covered with animal skins.

References:

• History Facts n.d. How Did Humans Survive the Ice Age?  — History Facts: https://historyfacts.com/science-industry/article/how-did-humans-survive-the-ice-age/ website referenced 7/23/24.