These small, mobile communities were not primitive or simple.

Their members carried enormous amounts of accumulated knowledge — about animals and their behavior, about plants and their seasonal availability, about landscape features like water sources, shelter, and travel routes.

They maintained social relationships with neighboring communities that provided access to resources, mates, and assistance in times of need.

They had technological traditions that were sophisticated and adapted to the demands of their specific environment.

The Hourglass Cave man was a product of such a community.