Stone Age

The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period during which stone was widely used to make implements and tools. It is generally considered to be the first period of human prehistory and encompasses the vast majority of human history. The Stone Age is not defined by a specific date, but rather by the technology used by humans. Therefore, its beginning and end dates vary from region to region.

The Stone Age is typically divided into three distinct periods:

• Paleolithic (Old Stone Age): The longest part of the Stone Age, characterized by the use of crude, chipped stone tools. Hominins, including early humans, were hunter-gatherers during this period. Significant developments include the control of fire, the development of language, and the emergence of art. The Paleolithic is further subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic.

• Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age): A transitional period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic, characterized by a gradual shift towards agriculture and a greater reliance on smaller, more refined stone tools (microliths). This period is associated with the end of the last Ice Age and the adaptation of human populations to new environments.

• Neolithic (New Stone Age): Characterized by the development of agriculture, the domestication of animals, and the creation of settled communities. Polished stone tools became more common, along with the invention of pottery and weaving. The Neolithic marks a significant shift in human history, leading to the development of civilization.

The Stone Age ended when metalworking became widespread, marking the beginning of the Bronze Age or Chalcolithic (Copper Age) in some regions. The transition from the Stone Age to the Metal Ages was a gradual process that occurred at different times in different parts of the world. The availability of resources and the adoption of new technologies played crucial roles in this transition.