The term "Paleolithic" is derived from the Greek words palaios (παλαιός), meaning "ancient," and lithos (λίθος), meaning "stone."
Origin and Usage
The term "Paleolithic" was first coined by the British archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865.
Lubbock used the term to describe the earliest known period of human prehistory, characterized by the use of crude stone tools.
The Paleolithic era is the first and longest period of human history, spanning from the emergence of the first hominids (around 2.6 million years ago) to the development of agriculture (around 10,000 years ago).
Meaning of "Paleolithic"
In archaeology, the Paleolithic era is defined by the following characteristics:
Technology: Humans used simple stone tools, such as handaxes, scrapers, and burins.
Subsistence: People relied on hunting and gathering for sustenance.
Social Organization: People lived in small, nomadic bands.
Habitat: Humans occupied a wide range of environments, including caves, river valleys, and coastal areas.
Art: Limited evidence of symbolic art, such as cave paintings and engravings.
Subdivisions of the Paleolithic
The Paleolithic era is further divided into three subdivisions:
Lower Paleolithic (2.6 million years ago - 300,000 years ago): The earliest period, characterized by simple stone tools and early hominid species.
Middle Paleolithic (300,000 years ago - 40,000 years ago): The development of more advanced stone tools, including handaxes and scrapers.
Upper Paleolithic (40,000 years ago - 10,000 years ago): The emergence of complex stone tools, such as blades and projectile points. Increased use of symbolic art and the domestication of animals.
