The data on social organization during the Palaeolithic era is minimal, not only in Greece (400/350.000-11,000 BP), but worldwide. Palaeolithic people are assumed to have been blood related and to have lived in small groups of 10 to 30. The production of stone tools (locating the raw material and further retouch), the hunting of wild animals in groups and the process of cutting and preserving these, are the earliest signs of social behaviour and organization.

Since the Middle Palaeolithic ca. 120,000 BP, burials of children, young women and men found at caves in Europe (France) and Asia (Palestine) suggest bonds of relationship and social behaviour. These are the first indications of respect and faith to life after death, and are mental expressions of Neanderthal man. The dead were also buried in caves, rockshelters and ditches regardless of their sex. The burials are accompanied with burial offerings from the social group such as tools, animal horns and flowers. In many cases, the face or the body of the dead was adorned with ochre, "the gold" of the Palaeolithic. Similar habits have come to light at numerous human burials of Homo sapiens sapiens(modern man), which date to the Upper Palaeolithic (35,000-11,000 BP).

Burials of this period have been found at Theopetra Cave in Thessaly (14,500 BC) and in Apidima in Mani (30,000 BP). These finds are the first signs of respect and care for the dead in Greece.

In the unique in Greece hematite mine, which is located on Thasos, red ochre was extracted and used as a colouring material or deposited in human burial from the Upper Palaeolithic. This, of course, required planning and cooperation among the human group.

From the advanced Upper Palaeolithic we find more ornaments and as an extension of this evidence of social symbolism (pierced teeth of bear and deer, pierced marine shells).

Finally, from the Final Palaeolithic onwards according to the distribution of the finds, more clear-cut distribution of economic activities in the caves and rockshelters (Kleidi in Epirus) is apparent. The clearly marked areas for gathering and food preparation around the hearth, resting and tool manufacture indicates the formation of small and flexible social units capable of organizing the harsh daily life.