No, no, no! Despite the popular image, humans did not primarily live in caves. Caves preserve artifacts well, so a non-critical view at the data paints an image of cave life. However, while caves were often used for things like temporary shelter, rituals, or as storage, most humans did not live their lives in them. They built shelters that were more comfortable and practical for daily living. Built out of materials like wood and animal hides, they decomposed over time, rarely leaving a single trace.
Our bias toward preserved things is known as the preservation bias. It is a cognitive bias and, in this case, a Cro-Magnon stereotype too. Our biases and stereotypes are two of the Four Mind Traps.
The insightful take-away here is to realize this applies to all hominins going back 3 million years. When you see a documentary about a neanderthal cave, realize that almost for sure, right outside that cave or nearby were several huts, perhaps even dozens. While no one would call these cities, they were proto-cities, villages if you will. At times, they were stable for generations too! So, the new image shifts toward communal living in huts with communal fire pits. We even have evidence of tool-making areas, and they likely built huts to store extra food they “gathered” and “hunted.” Perhaps they had a hut for storing cleaned bones, and another for hides. While these raw materials would not facilitate a modern life, they sure did come in handy. Imagine a bustling hub of activity, children playing, and elders sharing stories. It’s a vision of our ancestors far removed from the solitary cave dweller stereotype.
