All About Palaeolithic Age

Introduction

• ‘Palaeolithic’ means “Old Stone Age” and begins with the first use of stone tools. It extends from the earliest known use of stone tools by Hominins (immediate ancestor of Homo Sapiens)  3.3 million years ago to the end of the Pleistocene, or Ice Age, 11,650 BP (before the present period).

Paleolithic Age: An Overview

• Human ancestors are likely to have first evolved in Africa and later migrated to different parts of the world. 
  • The earliest human ancestor species to migrate out of Africa was Homo erectus.
• They were hunters and gatherers who lived in caves and rock shelters. 
  • They also learned to use fire later in this phase.
• They used unpolished stones like hand axes, cleavers, choppers, blades, burin, and scrapers. 
  • They are also called Quartzite men in India because they used quartzite for their tools.
• Division: The Palaeolithic Age is further divided into three phases according to the nature of the stone tools used by the people and the nature of change in the climate.
  • Lower Palaeolithic Age (20,00,000 − 60,000 BP)
  • Middle Palaeolithic Age (3,85,000–40,000 BP)
  • Upper Palaeolithic Age (40,000 − 10,000 BP)

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Brief Description of Palaeolithic Age

• Hunter-Gatherer Societies: In the Lower Paleolithic, Homo habilis and Homo erectus developed rudimentary stone tools for hunting and gathering. 
  • These early humans lived in small nomadic groups, relying on natural resources for sustenance.
• Artistic Expression: During the Middle Paleolithic, Homo sapiens exhibited increased cognitive abilities, evident in sophisticated tool-making techniques and the earliest forms of artistic expression, such as cave paintings and figurines.
• Social Organization: In the Upper Paleolithic, humans demonstrated complex social structures, evidenced by burial rituals, specialized tools, and symbolic art. 
  • This period saw advancements in technology, including the creation of composite tools and the domestication of animals.

Conclusion

• The Paleolithic Age represents a crucial stage in human evolution, characterized by innovation, adaptation, and cultural development. 
  • It laid the foundation for subsequent civilizations, shaping the trajectory of human history for millennia to come.