1Surviving the Frozen World
Tens of thousands of years ago, the Earth was a very different place. Massive sheets of ice called glaciers covered much of the land, and the air was freezing! To survive this "Ice Age," creatures like the woolly mammoth grew incredibly thick coats. These giants had a shaggy outer layer of hair and a fine inner layer of wool to trap heat. Beneath their skin was a layer of fat up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) thick! This kept them cozy while they roamed the snowy tundra looking for grass and shrubs to eat.
2The Ultimate Team Players
Imagine trying to hunt a creature the size of a modern elephant with only hand-made tools! Early humans were smart and realized they couldn't do it alone. They worked in groups to track the herds and plan clever traps. Using sharp stones like flint, they crafted spearheads and scrapers. By communicating and moving together, they could steer a mammoth toward a muddy bog or a steep cliff, making it easier to catch. This was one of the first examples of how humans used teamwork to solve big problems and stay safe.
3A Giant Resource for Everyone
When a group of hunters was successful, it was a celebration for the whole community. A single mammoth provided a mountain of resources that helped everyone stay alive. The meat was enough to feed dozens of people for a long time. They used the thick hides to make warm blankets and waterproof tents. Even the ivory tusks and heavy bones weren't thrown away; they were used as sturdy supports for huts or carved into needles and fishhooks. Every part of the mammoth helped early humans thrive in a world of ice.
