Have you ever wondered where people lived in the Stone Age? How did they survive though the cold and frost of the winter? Stone Age living was much more basic than ours in the present day (2020). Archaeologists have discovered though a range of sources that prehistoric humans created their own homes using natural elements from their environment. Early in the Stone Age, prehistoric people lived in natural shelters (caves) that they found. As time progressed into the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods they became more skilled in building homes that protected them from the challenges of different climates.


Where did they live?
At night the Stone Age people would sleep in a cave to keep them warm and comfortable. A fire was built in the entrance to keep the people safe from wild animals and so the smoke didn’t fill their cave.
Living in caves continued until there was a need to build more permanent homes. When they learned how to farm, the people needed to stay in one place to look after the crops so more permanent homes were required. These had smoke holes in the roof so that the fire could be inside and a door would keep out the wild animals.

What were their Stone Age homes made out of?
Interestingly, Stone Age homes were constructed from a range of materials found in the environment. Often, these homes were made of branches, mud, leaves and other natural items collected and woven or mixed together. They even used animal poo to help make the walls!