The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Cave Men

CAVE MEN, are literally men who have occupied, or do occupy, caves as residences. In popular use the term most often refers to the prehistoric time, when primitive men dwelt in the shelter of overhanging rocks and cavern roofs, because they had not yet learned how to build houses. This is the fact in a certain early stage of primitive culture; and it will be

found treated in its proper historic place in the article. For the human occupation of caves for residence and various other purposes within historic times see.