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Cultural Anthropology What did the people of the Upper Paleolithic period eat and how did they obtain this food? The Upper Paleolithic Period includes the period of time during which anatomically modern human became behaviorally modern humans, dating between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. The term Paleolithic refers to “Old Sone Age” while “Upper” references to the later part of this period. Most people from the Upper Paleolithic period lived in abundant and rich food resources areas which made it possible for them to consume big game. Technology ndicates early modern Homo Sapiens were excellent hunters. Many sites contain vast amounts of bones from mammoths and other animals, both large and small. Piles of animal bones have been found at the bottom of high cliffs. This would indicate that the hunters obtained some of their food by stampeding the animals off cliffs to be butchered by the other hunters anxiously awaiting below. Some studies also suggest that people of the Upper Paleolithic period would gather plants to supplement their food resources. Plants were probably used for nutritional and medicinal purposes.
Modern Homo sapiens did a good job with developing weapons with long, narrow blades for hunting. Spear throwers were able to increase their power and accuracy. This was perhaps the most important technological shift in stone tool production. The weapons helped the Upper Paleolithic protect themselves as well as help aid them in their hunting . In conclusion, the Upper Paleolithic was the modern Homo sapiens culture. They developed their own sophisticated tools which enabled them to be greater hunters. They ate big game and were able to obtain the food with the help of their weapons and some strategic planning.