3.3 Making Permanent Shelters

The first great change agriculture brought about was the use of permanent shelters. During the Paleolithic Age, people had lived in caves or rough, tent-like structures. These were temporary shelters because hunter-gatherers were nomads who had to move often in order to follow the wild animal herds or find new plants to eat. As people settled down to farm during the Neolithic Age, they built shelters that were more permanent.

3. Making Permanent Shelters

​Above: Paleolithic shelter; Below: Neolithic shelter

Multiple Choice

What was the first significant change brought about by agriculture?

• Introduction of trading

• Domestication of animals

• Use of permanent shelters

• Development of written language

Multiple Choice

Where did people live during the Paleolithic Age?

• In permanent houses

• In large cities

• In caves or rough, tent-like structures

• In treehouses

Multiple Choice

Why did Paleolithic people live in temporary shelters?

• Because they liked changing their homes frequently

• Because they were afraid of wild animals

• Because they did not know how to build permanent shelters

• Because they were nomads who had to move to follow animal herds and find food

Multiple Choice

What led to the transition from temporary to permanent shelters?

• The invention of the wheel

• The development of farming

• The discovery of fire

• The domestication of dogs

In many areas, people used mud bricks, packed together, to build houses that were round or rectangular in shape. Sometimes, people added stones and tree branches to the mud to strengthen the walls and roof. These houses had openings high in the walls. Historians believe that people may have climbed ladders to reach the openings and enter the house.

Multiple Choice

What material was primarily used by early people to build houses in many areas?

• mud bricks

• wood
• stone
• metal

Multiple Choice

Why did people sometimes add stones and tree branches to the mud when building houses?

• To strengthen the walls and roof

• To create a decorative pattern on the walls

• To attract birds and other animals

• To make the house look more natural

Multiple Choice

What shapes were the early houses made of mud bricks?

• Pyramid-shaped

• Round or rectangular

• Triangular

• Hexagonal

Multiple Choice

What do historians believe about the high openings in the walls of these houses?

• To create a sense of openness and spaciousness
• They were used for decoration

• They were used to keep out wild animals

• People climbed ladders to reach these openings to enter the house

Neolithic houses made of packed mud helped people stay warm in winter and cool in summer. Notice the number of different rooms within one family’s home.

Multiple Choice

What was a benefit of Neolithic houses made of packed mud?

• They were resistant to fire

• Enhanced aesthetic appeal
• Increased durability and strength
• They helped people stay warm in winter and cool in summer

​

Inside were several rooms that had places to store food built right into the floor. Pits for cooking were also dug into the floor and lined with clay. People may have filled the pits with water, dropping in hot stones to make the water boil for cooking.

Multiple Choice

What was a common feature inside the Neolithic houses?

• Rooms with places to store food built into the floor

• Hanging chandeliers

• Elevated wooden floors

• Swimming pool

Multiple Choice

How were the cooking pits inside Neolithic houses typically constructed?

• Suspended from the ceiling

• Attached to the walls

• Placed outside the house

• Dug into the floor and lined with clay

Multiple Choice

What method might Neolithic people have used to boil water for cooking?

• Using firewood directly under pots

• Using solar energy

• Using wind energy

• Dropping hot stones into water-filled pits

The development of permanent shelters was important in several ways. Houses gave people protection from harsh weather and wild animals and made life more comfortable. People could cook food in new ways. The long-lasting shelters enabled people to settle together in larger communities.

Multiple Choice

Why was the development of permanent shelters significant?

• It allowed people to travel more frequently

• It protected people from harsh weather and wild animals

• It encouraged people to live in isolation

• It made people more dependent on hunting

Multiple Choice

How did permanent shelters impact the way people lived together?

• They discouraged communal living

• They caused people to spread out into isolated regions

• They enabled people to settle together in larger communities

• They limited the growth of communities

Multiple Choice

How did permanent shelters influence food preparation?

• They prevented people from cooking

• They allowed people to cook food in new ways

• They encouraged raw diets

• They made it harder for people to access fresh ingredients

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a direct benefit of permanent shelters?

• Making travel easier

• Allowing for a more transient lifestyle

• Making life more comfortable for inhabitants

• Reducing interaction with neighbors