What is a characteristic of Upper Palaeolithic tools?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 3 Biology – Human Evolution Exam. Use quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations to ensure success. Master key concepts and get ready with confidence!

Upper Palaeolithic tools are known for their increased sophistication and specialization compared to earlier tool industries. One key characteristic from this period is the crafting of tools such as needles and fish hooks made from bone and wood. These tools reflect advanced manufacturing techniques and indicate a significant progression in human behavior, including more complex food preparation and clothing production. The creation of such tools demonstrates not only a functional advancement but also a shift towards more diverse subsistence strategies and social practices, highlighting the cultural evolution of humans during this period.

In contrast, tools identified with simpler characteristics, such as basic hand axes or simple stone flakes, were more representative of earlier periods in human evolution, like the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic. Additionally, the use of metal is also not characteristic of the Upper Palaeolithic, as metalworking developed later during the Bronze Age. The Upper Palaeolithic period primarily involved stone, bone, and wood for tool-making.

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