Evidence shows that hominids arrived in Europe not long after 1 million years ago. Northern Europe saw periods of occupation from around 500,000 BC. It is probable that Europe's early hominids were H. erectus (H. ergaster); but it is not until much later, around 400,000 BC, that many hominid bones are found, and these are generally attributed to an archaic form of modern human (H. sapiens), probably a local descendant of H. erectus.
Several sites of this period, such as Boxgrove, are unusually well-preserved, painting a clear picture of activities. Stone tools were manufactured on the spot as required, usually to butcher animal carcasses, and were then discarded.
Meat was probably of prime importance in Europe especially during cold periods. Hunting required considerable group co-operation and meat came more often from scavenging the carcasses of animals which had died of natural causes or had been killed by predators.
At Clacton in England a wooden spear was found; examination of the wear patterns on stone tools also shows their use for manufacturing wooden tools. At Terra Amata in France a claim has been made for a hut built in this early period and returned to repeatedly; shelters are known at other sites also.
