Southern New Hampshire University
ATH-101 Introduction to Anthropology
Module 3-1 Discussion: Speaker’s Corner Notes
Prompt:
Draft five points of speaking notes on how environmental changes affected human biological
and/or cultural evolution during the Paleolithic and what that can tell us about how climate
change might be impacting people today.
Based on the module resources, I believe that early humans during the Paleolithic Period were
able to acclimate to changes in climate through cultural developments including diet, the use of
clothing and shelter, tool making, and using fire. All these aspects alter the capability to conform
to living in exceptionally hot or cold climates no matter the body shape, competence, or size.
The following are my speaker notes regarding how environmental changes affected human
biological and/or cultural evolution during the Paleolithic Period:
Point 1: The Use of Fire
Colder climates demanded a need for warmth. Early hominins established a way of
providing this by frequently using a charcoal pit surrounded by stone.
