Stone Age
Source: Wikipedia
Neolithic stone axe with handle found in Ehenside Tarn, British Museum.
The Stone Age is a very old time in human history when people used stone to make tools and weapons. This period lasted for about 3.4 million years and ended around 2000 BC when people started using metal. The Stone Age is divided into three main parts: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.
The Paleolithic or Old Stone Age was the earliest part of the Stone Age, starting roughly 2.5 million years ago. During this time, early humans like Homo habilis and Homo erectus used simple stone tools for tasks like cutting and hunting. They lived in small groups and moved around a lot to find food.
Next came the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age, which began around 10,000 BC. People in this period started to live in one place for longer times and used more advanced tools. They began to fish and use bows and arrows. They also made small houses from wood and bones.
The Neolithic or New Stone Age started around 8,000 BC. People began to farm and grow crops like wheat and barley. They domesticated animals like goats and sheep. This period saw the rise of permanent villages and the building of larger structures. Tools became more complex, including polished stone axes.
Two important figures from this time are Ă–tzi the Iceman and Lucy. Ă–tzi lived around 3300 BC and was discovered frozen in the Alps. Scientists learned a lot about Neolithic life from his well-preserved body and belongings. Lucy is a famous fossil of an early human ancestor who lived about 3.2 million years ago. Her discovery helped scientists understand more about human evolution.
Important terms in the Stone Age include hunter-gatherers, who moved around to find food, and domestication, which means taming animals for farming. Artifacts are objects made by humans, like tools and pottery, which help us learn about their lives.
Understanding the Stone Age gives us a glimpse into the very beginnings of human history and how our ancestors lived and evolved over millions of years.
