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Re:Humans Dominated Earth Earlier Than Previously Thought by chrisco255 on Saturday August 31, 2019 @04:36AM (#20845236)
Yes well I'm talking about chopping trees down and building homes out of them (and enough homes for a civilization). No doubt smaller sticks and loose timber could be used, that's how man mastered fire in the first place. But chopping whole trees probably didn't happen much until after metal.
Re:Humans Dominated Earth Earlier Than Previously Thought by mkl on Saturday August 31, 2019 @06:59AM (#20845606)
You can build enough homes for a civilisation without felling any big trees at all. Stone, clay bricks, earth, small trees and branches, straw, etc. would be sufficient.

Even felling big trees doesn't need iron tools - controlled fire will do most of the work: http://www.cherokeeheritage.org/attractions/dugout-canoe/

Re:Humans Dominated Earth Earlier Than Previously Thought by chrisco255 on Saturday August 31, 2019 @01:51PM (#20847755)
That looks extremely laborious but it's a fascinating technique. It still limits the amount of lumber one group can use. I agree on clay (in some regions) and stone being available and useable. It still says nothing about supporting a civilization, which requires agriculture.
Re:Humans Dominated Earth Earlier Than Previously Thought by mkl on Saturday August 31, 2019 @06:52PM (#20849317)
You're moving goalposts, but early civilisations supported themselves with agriculture before developing metal-working: https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/development-of-ag... https://www.ancient.eu/Stone_Age/
Re:Humans Dominated Earth Earlier Than Previously Thought by reallydude on Saturday August 31, 2019 @08:29PM (#20849722)
> Yes well I'm talking about chopping trees down and building homes out of them

https://youtu.be/zVPUFMwm73Y?t=228

Relevant: Coppice