Behavior

Paleoanthropologist, Rick Potts surveying an archaeological site, kneeling holding a stone handaxe

Behavioral Evidence

Explore the evidence of early human behavior—from ancient footprints to stone tools and the earliest symbols and art – along with similarities and differences in the behavior of other primate species.

Chimpanzee using a tool to open food

Primate Behavior

Humans are part of the biological group known as primates. We sure are an unusual species of primate, though!

Footprint of Koobi Fora hominin compared for size next to a human foot

Footprints

Explore what scientists can learn from studying footprints left by early humans.

modern human hand holding a stone tool.

Stone Tools

Stone tools provide evidence about the technologies, dexterity, particular kinds of mental skills, and innovations that were within the grasp of early human toolmakers.

Image of early humans collecting food after a hunt.

Getting Food

Explore the evidence for some of the ways that early humans were able to get food.

light colored vase like piece of pottery with a circular open top

Carrying & Storing

Early humans may have made bags from skin long ago. About 20,000 years ago, modern humans began making pottery.

artist reconstruction of a prehistoric shelter at night with a crescent moon and a fire burning inside the man made shelter

Hearths & Shelters

Over time, early humans began to gather at hearths and shelters to eat and socialize.

artist reconstruction of early human burial illustrating two early humans preparing to bury two people

Burial

Our ancestors often buried the dead together with beads and other symbolic objects.

Image of monk scribing characters down on a piece of parchment.

Recording Information

These objects have marks that may have been used to count or store information. From simple beginnings like these came our ability to store enormous amounts of information.

Image of modern human hand cutting through an animal hide to make clothing.

Making Clothing

Awls and perforators were used to pierce holes in clothing. Later, humans used bone and ivory needles to sew warm, closely fitted garments.

Image of early human creating art on a cave wall.

Art & Music

By 40,000 years ago, humans were creating musical instruments and two- and three-dimensional images of the world around them.