How Did Our Ancestors Meet Each Other?

Take our mini-quiz and find out

Did groups of humans encounter one another? (2019/2019) by Fanny Le BagousseGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Do you think groups of humans…

A. Never met people from other communities or B. Traded goods (and genes!) between settlements

The correct answer is...

B. Traded goods (and genes!) between settlements

Chauvet CaveGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site

The archaeological sites excavated were occupied by small communities made up of 15, 20, or maybe 25 people consisting of 2, 3, or as many as 4 family groups. They shared the same living space and moved around together, guided by the seasons.

Did groups of humans encounter one another? (2019/2019) by Fanny Le BagousseGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site

These groups of humans met up to exchange goods, ideas, and also, of course, their genes. Their meetings must have taken place at specific times of the year, in evocative locations

Panoramic view of the Pont d'Arc (2015/2015) by David HuguetGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Pont d'Arc could have been one of these gathering places, which would explain the presence of 30 decorated caves among the gorges in Ardèche, Chauvet being one of them. The only large arch of this kind with a river flowing under it, Pont d’Arc is a unique natural monument in Southern Europe.

Were there other humans 36, 000 years ago? (2019/2019) by Fanny Le BagousseGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Let's see if you can answer another prehistory question!

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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