Palaeolithic (2 million BC – 10,000 BC)

 

                The Paleolithic period, also known as the Old Stone Age, lasted from approximately 2 million BCE to around 10,000 BCE. During this period, early humans developed the use of stone tools and weapons, and lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers. The Paleolithic period is divided into three phases: the Lower Paleolithic, the Middle Paleolithic, and the Upper Paleolithic.

                During the Lower Paleolithic period, early humans developed the first stone tools, including the Oldowan tool tradition, characterized by simple stone flakes. The Middle Paleolithic period saw the development of more advanced tools, such as the Levallois technique for making stone tools, and the emergence of Homo sapiens, the species to which modern humans belong. The Upper Paleolithic period saw significant advances in technology, including the development of the bow and arrow, the atlatl (spear-thrower), and the harpoon. Art and religion also emerged during this period, as evidenced by cave paintings and other artifacts.

                    Early humans during the Paleolithic period were nomadic, moving from place to place in search of food and resources. They lived in small groups and relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their survival. The development of stone tools allowed them to hunt more efficiently and defend themselves against predators. As the climate fluctuated during the Paleolithic period, early humans adapted to their changing environments and developed new technologies to cope with new challenges.

                    The Paleolithic period laid the foundation for the development of human societies and the emergence of civilization. It was a time of significant cultural, social, and technological development, and the legacy of the Paleolithic period is still evident in many aspects of modern human societies.