Defination of paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic age?
Paleolithic Age:
The Paleolithic Age, also known as the Old Stone Age, is the earliest and longest period of human history. It lasted from around 2.6 million years ago to about 10,000 years ago. This age is characterized by the use of stone tools, hunting and gathering, and the development of basic social structures.
Key Points:
- Time Period: The Paleolithic Age spanned from approximately 2.6 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago.
- Stone Tools: During this period, early humans used stone tools, such as hand axes, scrapers, and blades. These tools were primarily made from flint, obsidian, and other types of rocks.
- Hunting and Gathering: Paleolithic humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers who relied on hunting animals and gathering wild plants for survival. They lived in small groups and followed the movement of animals and seasonal availability of food.
- Art and Culture: Paleolithic humans created cave paintings, sculptures, and personal ornaments. These artistic expressions provide insights into their beliefs, rituals, and daily life.
- Basic Social Structures: While the exact social structures of Paleolithic societies are not well-known, it is believed that they were organized into small groups led by elders or experienced hunters. Cooperation and sharing were essential for survival.
Mesolithic Age:
The Mesolithic Age, also known as the Middle Stone Age, followed the Paleolithic Age and lasted from approximately 10,000 to 5,000 years ago. This transitional period witnessed significant environmental and cultural changes as humans adapted to new conditions and developed more sophisticated tools.
Key Points:
- Time Period: The Mesolithic Age spanned from around 10,000 to 5,000 years ago.
- Environmental Changes: During this period, the Earth experienced the end of the last Ice Age, resulting in a warmer climate, melting ice sheets, and the expansion of forests. This led to changes in the flora and fauna available to humans.
- Tool Development: The Mesolithic Age saw the refinement of stone tools. Microliths, small and finely crafted stone tools, became more common. These tools were often used as components of composite tools, such as arrows and spears.
- Increased Sedentism: With the abundance of resources in the Mesolithic period, humans began to settle in one location for longer periods. This shift from a nomadic lifestyle to a more sedentary one allowed for the development of more complex social structures and the establishment of permanent settlements.
- Efficient Hunting and Fishing Techniques: Mesolithic humans developed new hunting and fishing techniques, such as using traps, nets, and hooks. They also domesticated certain animals, including dogs, for companionship and assistance in hunting.
Neolithic Age:
The Neolithic Age, also known as the New Stone Age, followed the Mesolithic Age and lasted from around 5,000 to 2,000 BCE. This period witnessed significant advancements in human civilization, including the development of agriculture, domestication of animals, and the emergence of permanent settlements.
Key Points:
- Time Period: