Palaeolithic is spelled with the combination of the letters "ae" which represents the sound "i" as in "eye." The word is pronounced pælɪəˈlɪθɪk, with stress on the second and fourth syllables. This term refers to the earliest period of the Stone Age, before the development of agriculture and the use of metals. Palaeolithic includes the Old Stone Age and covers a vast period from millions of years ago until around 10,000 BCE. It is marked by the use of stone tools and hunting and gathering as a way of life.
Palaeolithic, also known as the Old Stone Age, refers to the earliest and longest period of human history, roughly spanning from 2.6 million years ago to around 10,000 BCE. The term "Palaeolithic" comes from the Greek words palaios, meaning "old," and lithos, meaning "stone," signifying its association with the use of stone tools by early humans.
During this era, humans were primarily hunters and gatherers, relying on the natural resources available to them for survival. They lived in small, mobile groups, constantly on the move in search of food and shelter. The Palaeolithic period is characterized by the development and refinement of stone tools, which were crucial for various activities such as hunting, cutting, and scraping.
Within the Palaeolithic, scholars distinguish between the Lower, Middle, and Upper Palaeolithic, based on technological advancements and cultural distinctions. The Lower Palaeolithic witnessed the earliest known stone tools, including simple chipped stone tools like hand axes and cleavers. The Middle Palaeolithic saw the introduction of more refined tools, such as specialized flake tools and the emergence of early human species like Neanderthals. Finally, the Upper Palaeolithic marked significant advancements in tool technology, including the production of more sophisticated and varied blades, as well as the emergence of Homo sapiens.
The Palaeolithic era played a significant role in shaping early human societies and their survival strategies. It was a time of remarkable adaptation and innovation, laying the foundation for future technological advancements in human history.
A term applied to the earliest portion of the pre-historic stone period.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Palaeolithic" comes from two Greek roots: "palaio-" meaning "old" and "lithikos" meaning "of or relating to stone". So, collectively, "Palaeolithic" means "ancient" or "old stone". The term is used to refer to the earliest period of the Stone Age, characterized by the use of simple stone tools by our early human ancestors.