What type of evidence suggests early human social structures?

Organized campsites and burial sites provide significant evidence of early human social structures. Campsites imply that early humans were gathering in groups, which suggests a level of social cooperation and interaction necessary for survival. The organized nature of these camps indicates planning and coordination, as they would have needed to designate areas for specific activities such as cooking, sleeping, and tool-making.

Burial sites further reinforce social structures, as they imply a shared belief system or ritual related to death. The act of burying the dead often indicates that these early humans had developed a sense of community and care for one another, as well as possibly a belief in an afterlife. The organization of burials, sometimes with grave goods, reflects social roles and relationships, indicating that individuals were likely valued within their groups.

In sum, the presence of organized campsites and burial sites provides compelling evidence of social structures among early humans, as they demonstrate cooperation, shared beliefs, and community organization, which are foundational aspects of social living.