Paleolithic
Origins and Evolution
The Paleolithic, also known as the Stone Age, is a significant period in human prehistory distinguished by the original development of stone tools that covers more than 99% of the time period of human technological prehistory. It extends from the earliest known use of stone tools by hominins c. 3.3 million years ago, to the end of the Pleistocene c. 11,650 cal BP.
The Paleolithic is subdivided into three periods: the Lower Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic, and Upper Paleolithic. The term "Paleolithic" was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865. It derives from Greek: παλαιός, palaios, "old"; and λίθος, lithos, "stone", meaning "old age of the stone" or "Old Stone Age."
Lower Paleolithic
The Lower Paleolithic is the earliest subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. It spans the time from around 3 million years ago when the first evidence for stone tool production and use by hominins appears in the current archaeological record, until around 300,000 years ago, spanning the Oldowan "tool industry" and the Acheulean technology, which had been replaced by more sophisticated techniques of tool manufacture.
Middle Paleolithic
The Middle Paleolithic (or Middle Stone Age) represents the part of the Stone Age which directly precedes the Upper Paleolithic. The Middle Paleolithic roughly spans the period between 300,000 and 30,000 years ago. It is generally characterized by the development of the Mousterian stone tools, which were used by the Neanderthals and early modern humans.
Upper Paleolithic
The Upper Paleolithic (or Upper Stone Age) is the third and last subdivision of the Paleolithic. It extends from about 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, and is characterized by the emergence of regional stone tool industries such as the Aurignacian, Gravettian, and Magdalenian cultures.
Lifestyle and Survival
The Paleolithic was a time of profound change in the earth's climate. At the beginning of the period, the earth's climate was relatively warm and wet, similar to that of the present day. However, the climate gradually cooled and, by the end of the Paleolithic, the earth was in the grip of an ice age. Despite these harsh conditions, early humans were able to adapt and survive.
Art and Culture
The Paleolithic era is known for its cave paintings. These are some of the earliest known examples of art in human history. They include the famous paintings at the Lascaux Cave in France and the Altamira Cave in Spain.
End of the Paleolithic
The end of the Paleolithic is traditionally associated with the advent of the Mesolithic period (or Epipaleolithic), which in turn leads into the Neolithic period. The date of this transition varies geographically, but it is generally accepted to have occurred sometime around 10,000 years ago.