What is the Stone Age, and why is it called so?
The Stone Age is a prehistoric period in human history characterized by the development and use of stone tools as the primary technology. It marks the earliest phase of human cultural evolution and technological development, predating the use of metals. The Stone Age is divided into three main periods based on advancements in tools and lifestyle:
Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age): Early humans were primarily hunter-gatherers and used simple stone tools.
Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age): A transitional phase with more refined tools, microliths, and the beginnings of agriculture.
Neolithic Age (New Stone Age): Marked by the advent of farming, domestication of animals, pottery, and polished stone tools.
Why is it called the Stone Age?
The term "Stone Age" derives from the predominant use of stone for making tools and weapons during this period. Stone was the most accessible and durable material available to early humans, and it formed the basis of their survival tools. The absence of metal usage further emphasizes the reliance on stone for daily activities such as hunting, cutting, and construction.
The name was introduced by 19th-century archaeologists to categorize early human history into distinct technological phases: Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.
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