The Stone Age is a prehistoric period in human history that is characterized by the use of stone

tools. It is generally divided into three main periods: the Paleolithic, the Mesolithic, and the
Neolithic. The Stone Age represents a significant period in human history, during which humans
developed various technologies, skills, and social structures that laid the foundation for the
development of civilization.

Palaeolithic
The earliest part of the Stone Age is called the Palaeolithic.
Palaeolithic people were nomadic. This means they were always moving with their families.
They gathered food, firewood, and materials for tools, clothes and shelter, all from their
surroundings. Their diet was made up mainly from animal meat, fruits and plants. The animals
they ate included wild horse, red deer, arctic hare, reindeer, wild cattle, lynx and red fox. They
used every part of the animal to help them live, the meat for food, fur and skin for clothes and
bones for marrow and glue. Their discovery of fire also helped them stay warm, cook and
frighten away dangerous animals.
• It is also known as Old Stone Age.
• Date back from 30,000 BC to 10,000 BC.
• Ancient humans relied on hunting and gathering plants.
• Used to wear animals’ skin and jewelry.
• Men and women used to enjoy equal rights.
• Their art work is based on sculptures, rock art, cave paintings which demonstrates their
creativity. Most of the paintings are of mammoths, bison, reindeer, horses, wild oxen.

Mesolithic
The middle part of the Stone Age is called the Mesolithic. Mesolithic people moved around the
country side following animal herds and finding the best flint which could be used for tool
making. They travelled in groups of about 10-40 people and hunted animals in woodlands.
• It is also known as Middle Stone Age.
• Date back from 8000 BCE to 2700 BCE.
• It is the transition between Paleolithic and Neolithic Age.
• Flint technology was used i.e. geometrical pieces were made.
• It is also known as Middle Stone Age.
• Date back from 8000 BCE to 2700 BCE.
 • It is the transition between Paleolithic and Neolithic Age.
• Flint technology was used i.e. geometrical pieces were made.

NEOLITHIC
In Neolithic age around 4,000BC, people begin to stop moving around, and start to live in one
place permanently. They began to farm crops like spelt and wheat, and kept animals like goats
and sheep. More land was needed for farming, and lots of woodlands were cut down to make
space. Flint was still used to make tools, and flint mines were used to find the best flint deep
underground. It was during the Neolithic that people started using pottery in Britain, although it
had already been used in Greece for 2,500 years! Items made from pottery were used for cooking
and storing food.
• It is also known as New Stone Age.
• The duration is 8000 BCE to 3000 BCE.
• Sophisticated weapons were created which were sharp, pointed and had handles on them.
• Social life was organized to some extent.
• Animal domestication of dogs, cows, sheep, pigs, goats started.
• Knitting, weaving and spinning started.
• Boats and rafts were built.
• Cotton clothing was started.
• The concept of modern day family set-up started with male member acquiring the powers
of head.
• Population increased which led to development of villages/cities.