The Paleolithic Age, also called the ‘Old Stone Age’, refers to a period in prehistory known for its simple chipped stone tools.The Early Stone Age began about 2.5 million years ago and ended roughly 10,000 years ago. The Paleolithic Age covers a period when primitive stone tools were used by humans and it extends till the beginning of the Mesolithic Age.The onset of the Stone Age period is believed to coincide with the first evidence of the development of rudimentary tools by early humans about 2.5 million years ago. In Britain, the Stone Age was around 12,000 years ago. The Stone Age began about 65 million years after the extinction of dinosaurs.The term ‘Paleolithic’ was coined by John Lubbock, an archaeologist, in 1865. It is derived from the Greek words ‘palaios’ meaning ‘old’ and ’lithos’ meaning ‘stone’. The words combined translate to ‘Old Stone Age’The Paleolithic Age is usually classified into three divisions, namely the lower, middle, and upper Paleolithic periods. Despite the categorization, anthropologists oppose imposing strict time limits on each stage. Their subdivisions took place at different times in different regions. During this period, humans began to use fire for cooking, developed early religions, formed Paleolithic societies, and created art and paintings. The Paleolithic period corresponds to 99% of human history, making it the longest period of human time on earth by far.Once you have finished reading this article, why not head over and discover some Paleolithic Age inventions or learn more about Paleolithic clothing!How Early Humans Survived The Ice AgeThe evolutionary stages leading towards Homo habilis began during the transition from the Pliocene to the Pleistocene Epoch around 2.5 million years ago. The climate was starting to become cooler and drier compared to the otherwise warmer climate of the Pliocene. The temperature transition resulted in frequent glaciations that lasted for thousands of years. The glaciations also had a cycle of interglacial warming periods. Both the glaciations and the interglacial warming periods resulted in severe conditions for survival in the Paleolithic Age.The evolution of early humans was significantly affected by the drastic climatic changes prevailing in the Paleolithic Age. The inhabitants of the Northern hemisphere were much more affected than the people in the Southern hemisphere, as glaciations were much more severe in the Northern hemisphere. The Southern hemisphere continents remained relatively tropical and subtropical, though more humid during the Ice Age.Many scientists believe that early humans migrated to a small strip of land in Africa, which was considered the only place that was inhabitable during the Ice Age. This small haven, nicknamed the ‘Garden of Eden’ is believed to be located about 149.1 mi (240 km) from Cape Town, on the southern coast of Africa. It is believed that the last remaining human species gathered here to survive the dramatic climate change.This fact is often used to explain the lesser genetic diversity in humans as compared to other animal species. It is also argued by many scientists that the race was probably down to its last 100 inhabitants and was on the verge of extinction.Lower Paleolithic AgeAlso known as the Early Stone Age, this period refers to a time period believed to begin around 2.5 million years ago and is the earliest division of the Paleolithic period. This marks the first evidence of human-like behaviors, namely tool making and the usage and control of fire.This age is said to begin with the emergence of the Oldowan tradition, the earliest known tool-making tradition. This led to the formation of the Acheulean industry, the first tool-making tradition in a standardized form. The Acheulean industry is believed to be the origin of the evolution of the hominin ancestors of humans, namely Australopithecus and Homo erectus.Australopithecus was petite and was the first hominin to walk on two feet. They had a combination of both apelike and modern humanlike features. The first known Australopithecus fossil to be preserved is named Lucy. The second known hominin of this age is Homo erectus. Homo erectus was both taller and heavier than its predecessors and was the first to leave Africa. They were much better walkers than their predecessors.The type of stone tools found by archaeologists that date back to this division of the Stone Age suggests that most humans of this period were not hunters but scavengers. The most common tools were hand axes and cleavers. The Lower Paleolithic Age is believed to end with the emergence of the Mousterian industry, which signified the beginning of composite and more efficient tools.Middle Paleolithic AgeThe second division of the Paleolithic era is the Middle Paleolithic Age. The Middle Paleolithic Age is believed to have begun about 300,000 years ago and ended about 50,000 years ago. This period is characterised by the Mousterian industry, which refers to composite flake tools derived from hand axes and cleavers. This period marked the beginning of the shift of humans from scavengers to hunters.With the emergence of more efficient and effective composite stone tools, Paleolithic people shifted to hunting wild animals as a primary source of food. They learned more about food storage techniques that focused on food preservation and resourceful utilization. This also marked the extensive use and control of fire for many purposes. This drastic shift from scavenging to hunting resulted in the extinction of many early species of wild animals.The most significant hominins present during the Middle Paleolithic Age were the neanderthals (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis). The neanderthals were very closely related to modern humans. This hominin also showed the emergence of religious establishments and human societies. Pieces of evidence of religious practices and human burial sites have been discovered that date back to this time period.Upper Paleolithic AgeThe Upper Paleolithic Age refers to a time period that began about 50,000 years ago and lasted till about 10,000 years ago, the beginning of the Holocene. The upper Paleolithic is known to have the first evidence of organized settlements and social structures. More complex social groupings emerged during the period. Homo sapiens, modern humans, were the most prominent hominins after the Middle Stone Age.The Upper Paleolithic industry exhibited a greater variety, complexity, and specialization in tool making. This time also marks the emergence of Paleolithic art, musical instruments, and cave paintings. This period also saw the significant expansion of humans from Africa to Asia and western Europe.This third division marks the end of the Paleolithic Age, about 10,000 years ago. This period ended with the end of the last Ice Age, following which the earth started to warm up. This era was followed by the Mesolithic and Neolithic Ages, which marked the end of the Stone Age. The Bronze Age and the Iron Age followed after the Stone Age.Paleolithic Technology, Culture, And ArtThe Paleolithic Age marked major developments in languages, science, art, technology, and spirituality.Most inventions of the Paleolithic Age were tools and weapons. Their tools ranged from chipped stone tools to more composite flaked tools with more complexity and specialization. The way the technology of the Paleolithic Age evolved accounts for the way humans evolved through history in terms of brain size, cognitive abilities, and social and ecological behaviors. The shift to a more carnivorous diet is also used to explain the biological and geographical expansion of the genus Homo. As technology advanced, composite tools with varying specializations came into existence. The use of bones, ivory, wood, and other raw materials for tool and weapon making became more and more prevalent.Culture evolved too, with the evolution of humans. Earlier, people lived in small bands of 8-10 people, with their only objective being to find food to eat and protect themselves from wild animals. As a result of human evolution, complex societies and religions began to evolve as well. They started performing burials and rituals, which led to the emergence of musical instruments like bone flutes. As cultures evolved, hunting practices became more and more prevalent. Instruments like spears and fishing tools became more and more common. Increased social interactions led to the betterment of cognitive abilities like speech for communication, which led to the formation of some of the earliest forms of languages.Art forms too evolved during the Stone Age which continued well into the Bronze Age. Cave art and cave paintings became the most widespread form of prehistoric art. Cave walls were painted with animals and female figures, which depicted life in the Stone Age. Female figure statuettes, collectively called ‘Venus’ were one prevalent art form that depicted fertile women of childbearing age. Another one was the petroglyph, which involved carving with stone on walls of caves. These paintings in the caves depicted scenes of hunting and gathering or carvings of animals.The art forms prevalent in the Stone Age along with items found by archaeologists, prove that early forms of human religion evolved in the Paleolithic era.Daily Life In The Paleolithic AgeAt the beginning of the Early Stone Age, humans used to live in simple huts and tepees and were mostly scavengers. They had a varied diet of various fruits and vegetables that were locally available.With the emergence of stone tools and weapons, the primary lifestyle shifted to that of hunter-gatherers. They led a nomadic lifestyle and built temporary settlements. They traveled in search of food and animals to hunt. Meat was a major component of their food. Humans would hunt for animals like mammoths, bison, and deer for meat and use the animal skin for clothes. They lived in small clans of about 20 people and lived mostly outdoors, with temporary protection from wild animals and adverse climatic conditions.The Paleolithic Age characterizes the majority of human evolution. While the knowledge at this time is limited, the current discoveries have surely set the basis for more research and discoveries.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Paleolithic Age facts, then why not take a look at Paleolithic houses or Paleolithic Age tools!
The Paleolithic Age, also called the ‘Old Stone Age’, refers to a period in prehistory known for its simple chipped stone tools.
