Millions of years before the first smart phone, our distant ancestors first began breaking rocks to acquire sharp flakes. This humble activity set our lineage on a path that would include dietary changes, brain expansion, growth in technological complexity, and perhaps even the origins of language. Stone Age archaeology tells the story of human origins and our very old and close relationship to technology. We will touch on all the major phases of the Stone Age, starting 3.3 million years ago, through to its conclusion with the advent of metal tools a few thousand years ago. The course is intended for those with no background in archaeology and will include a brief review of some of the key techniques and theories of the discipline.
Instructor
Jeff Werner is an archaeologist interested in the African Stone Age and human evolution. He does field-work in southern Tanzania where he works as part of a team to document the Stone Age and historical occupation of the region.
