Conditions of human life in Chellean period

To imagine the conditions in which there was a man Chellean period should pay attention primarily on the animal remains found during excavations with Chellean instruments or deposits, where such weapons are found.

In France, it was the southern animals proglacial distant past – a hippopotamus, ancient elephant with straight tusks, rhinoceros Merck, Stenon horse, a giant beaver. Chellean man in France, in the region of modern Paris, surrounded thus, nature, similar to the one in which he lived in Java Pithecanthropus. In similar conditions, Chellean people lived on the territory of the USSR.

The conditions, under which weapons are found Chellean occurring in the gravel deposits of ancient river terraces, show that the people of that time lived in small groups and led a wandering life on the banks of rivers, lakes and deep sub-tropical forests. In the rain or in the heat of a man could serve as a refuge dense groups of trees or shrubs, rock shelters, and at best, the most primitive huts-sheds of hastily scribbled branches. Clothing absent or limited capes of animal skins, untreated.

Making fire was not known. The most that has been in the human capabilities – this time to keep the fire caused against his will.

Found bones of large animals with Chellean guns, apparently show that the people of this time are sometimes killed the giant pachyderms. Nevertheless, just look at the primitive Chellean products, to ensure that such hunting could not be more systematic. The main source of human existence Chellean time was probably hunting for small animals. Only in rare cases, they were able to take advantage of the inexperience of the cubs of large animals or to kill a large animal. Great importance should have been also collecting wild edible plants, which abound in the subtropics, and insects and lizards.

Nevertheless, most importantly, from a historical point of view, was the fact that hunters and gatherers Chellean already firmly and irrevocably stood in the way of human development. Since that time, the oldest of humanity followed the path of progress, due to the development and complexity of the collective work – the force that identified people from the animal world and then held it high over nature.