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Example research essay topic: Hunter Gatherer Technological Advances - 1,711 words

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During Paleolithic times Homo sapiens developed tools to deal with a variety of tasks and ensure their survival. It is important to note that all of these tools persist in one form or another to the present day. Although these early tools are usually ineffective in comparison to their modern counterparts the fact present day humans continue to use them solidifies their importance to the species. The most important tool that Paleolithic humans employed was flint. Using this simple yet effective tool allowed humans to set fire at will for cooking, protection, and warmth. For the first time in the history of the world animals were able to convert energy in a way other than chemically within their bodies.

In the hostile environment of early times fire could be employed to keep beasts at bay protecting early man and propelling the species forward. Using flint and tinder provided warmth during the colder months and in the evenings. Flint, stone, and bone fashioned into spears or blades gave early humans another more obvious form of protection. Having developed brains more than physical defenses left early humans vulnerable to other animal species.

By striking the core of a stone and producing sharp flakes they were able to fashion a variety of weapons for both defense and offense. As this technology matured humans were less likely to fall prey to other animals and could begin their struggle for dominance of the planet. These same blades were used to fashion primitive dwellings, cut meat, reap wild grain, and fashion fur clothing. The early fashioning of pottery aided humans in their early stages tremendously. The ability to create canisters to hold food and water allowed them to transport these goods more effectively in a nomadic society. These early forms of pottery were still subject to evaporation and seepage compared to later models but was an improvement over earlier versions of containers.

Sealing the food with tallow to prevent spoiling allowed them to persevere through short times of famine or when game was unavailable. Inventing kayaks, outrigger canoes, and other forms of waterborne transportation allowed early humans to overcome many geographical constraints. The ability to expend less effort and cover more territory allowed for a greater distribution of population and increased hunting territory. Harnessing this technology furthered the species not only for transportation but also increased food gathering through fishing. Using primitive nets early humans were able to gather more food with less effort than hunting land-based game. With these technologies at their disposal humans began to flourish.

Tools provided man with a means of harnessing many things from his environment. Unfortunately there were several limitations to these tools that affected the lives of Paleolithic tribes. The physical limitations of stone, flint, and bone kept humans from cutting large timber for firewood, canoes, or dwellings and they were forced to use small trees or larger ones that had fallen. The lack of the tools that developed later through population pressure and sedentary lifestyle slowed overall population growth.

The tools available for disposal by Paleolithic man were inefficient enough to keep him nomadic but useful enough to make his life as a hunter-gatherer easier and more productive. Neolithic humans began to develop a variety of tools to further their way of life as they developed more efficient agricultural techniques. Humans also continued to improve the already existing tools at their disposal. As population increased and they began to supplement more and more of their diet with cultivated plants and domesticated animals, tool production and sophistication was necessitated to ensure survival. Stone tools during this period were improved by using a technique of polishing instead of the chipping method used by earlier man. This advanced form of tool making increased efficiency because these tools held a better edge that could be reproduced by sharpening the item again and again.

With the variety of agricultural techniques that developed tools differed from locale to locale but accomplished the same task. Several agricultural tools undoubtedly appeared during this time period. Shovels, early hoes, and hand tools were developed for tilling the land. Early forms of these tools consisted of nothing more than wooden or stone staves fashioned in a form that could be used in cultivation.

All of these tools must have been unbearably inefficient at first and undoubtedly matured rapidly through trial and error. Polished stone blades that were already employed elsewhere in Neolithic life were used for the reaping grain. Briefly passed by in the text but equally important were the tools that were developed to make proper use of beasts of burden. Early man developed tools to work animals such as early saddles or straps for camels or ass and the simple staff for herding sheep and goat. Tools like the shear in one form or another appeared during this period allowing Neolithic man the opportunity to utilize textiles of the sheep, goat, and other beasts.

This gave way to a number of improvements in rope, blankets, belts, clothing, and various articles that were more durable than previous versions. Also worthy of mention from this time period was the substantial improvements in pottery. These fashioned goods could be utilized in all aspects of Neolithic life in the home as well as the field. As their material possessions increased due to a more sedentary lifestyle early people were able to experiment with more advanced techniques in pottery making. The use of ovens as tools for both cooking and the glazing of pottery produced more efficient pottery items in terms of seepage or evaporation. These technologies affected and were affected by lifestyle.

They were created to aid in a lifestyle that was appearing and matured due to the lifestyle that evolved from their use. This advance in technology shaped Neolithic life from that of a hunter-gatherer to that of the more sedentary agriculturalist. This change permeated throughout larger portions of the world and further affected neighboring hunter-gatherer groups. This shaped the life of early man in an irreversible way. Although these primitive tools aided man through the daily workings in his life as a subsistence farmer they were also inefficient enough to hinder mass agricultural development. The inefficiency of these tools and their effect on agricultural growth in turn limited man geographically and in population.

This technology both advanced and limited man until it matured even further. The first civilizations began to appear due in part to technological developments that were being made at the end of the Neolithic period. Several technological advances in agriculture and irrigation made way for and the true development of farming. These advances, along with those made in metallurgy, propelled man forward at an increasing rate both socially and in overall population growth. This growth allowed for further growth in technology and tool use that eventually gave rise to civilization. Perhaps the most prominent tool to develop during this age was the plow.

Allowing early humans to cultivate larger stretches of soil and produce a food surplus. The primitive examples like a long timber with one branch left attached were very inefficient but still produced a larger yield per area than previous methods of sowing grain. Attaching stone or bronze undoubtedly increased efficiency and helped to cultivate in harsher soil conditions. Employing the ox or other beasts brought yet another increase in food surplus. This form of plow eventually matured into the iron or steel ox pulled plow used up until early this century and still in use in many countries today. Advancements in metallurgy gave way to superior tools that could be employed.

Copper was just as effective as stone and holds an edge that is less prone to chipping. With the invention of alloys man acquired his first material that was decidedly superior to stone, bronze. Due to its scarcity metal was primarily used for weapons. This gave early man a means of exacting power of his neighbors and allowed for larger regions to be controlled under one state or another. The invention of iron smelting gave way to a cheaper solution than previous metals. Early man had finally found a solution to stone and was able to fashion all of the previous employed tools from this superior substance.

As sedentary lifestyle and the development of early civilizations increased a number of technological advances occurred. Foremost of these is the invention of the wheel. Although clumsy at first it gave man a means of transport through the use of carts that allowed for expeditious movement of goods with far less effort than previously. The wheel also allowed for mass production of pottery. Stone and clay were employed more than in previous history for the construction of buildings, temples, and cities. Tools constructed for the fashioning of stone and the firing of clay bricks were employed.

Scales and other measuring devices began to appear to establish a standard of weights and measure. Tools such as the pulley and block and tackle must have existed in primitive form along with ramps and other means of mechanical advantage. The development of writing and record keeping originally by priest propelled humanity and gave birth to true civilization. Tools used for marking in clay or on papyrus allowed early man to build personal property and keep an exact history of everything that transpired.

This technology transformed the life of early man allowing for the establishment of written law, custom, and all things defined by a true civilization. The technology produced during this time directly affected lifestyle. Producing an unprecedented surplus of food using these tools allowed for a class based society to emerge. Priests, career military, and businessmen selling their wares emerged.

Not all men were subject to living as farmers or herdsmen allowing for even more development in technology and tools. The dawn of civilization that resulted from these tools directly affected every person living during this time period. Tools gave birth to literacy and initial mastery of the environment. They allowed for the building of armies and expansion of civilization. This expansion in turn decreased the overall number of isolated food gathering societies and an even larger decrease in the remaining hunter-gathering tribes. In conclusion it was the transformation that gave birth to modern life and the development of tools that affects modern humans to this day.


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Research essay sample on Hunter Gatherer Technological Advances

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