Paleolithic

[ pey-lee-uh-lith-ikor, especially British, pal-ee- ]

adjective

1. (sometimes lowercase) Anthropology. of, relating to, or characteristic of the cultures of the late Pliocene and the Pleistocene epochs, or early phase of the Stone Age, which appeared first in Africa and are marked by the steady development of stone tools and later antler and bone artifacts, engravings on bone and stone, sculpted figures, and paintings and engravings on the walls of caves and rock-shelters: usually divided into three periods Lower Paleolithic, c2,000,000–c200,000 b.c., Middle Paleolithic, c150,000–c40,000 b.c., Upper Paleolithic, c40,000–c10,000 b.c..

Paleolithic

/ pā′lē-ə-lĭth′ĭk /

1. The cultural period of the Stone Age that began about 2.5 to 2 million years ago, marked by the earliest use of tools made of chipped stone. The Paleolithic Period ended at different times in different parts of the world, generally around 10,000 years ago in Europe and the Middle East.
2. Also called Old Stone Age
3. ◆ The Lower Paleolithic is by far the longest division of this period, lasting until about 200,000 years ago and characterized by hammerstones and simple core tools such as hand axes and cleavers. The earliest tools belong to the Oldowan tool culture and may have been made by australopithecines as well as by Homo habilis . Later Lower Paleolithic cultures include the Abbevilian, Clactonian, Acheulian, and Levalloisian, associated with early Homo erectus .
4. ◆ The Middle Paleolithic is generally dated to about 40,000 years ago and is associated with archaic Homo sapiens , primarily the Neanderthals and their Mousterian tool culture. The tools produced during this period represent improvements on those of the Lower Paleolithic, especially in flaking techniques, but remain little changed throughout the duration of the period.
5. ◆ The Upper Paleolithic dates to about 10,000 years ago in Europe and the Middle East and is associated with modern Homo sapiens . Various distinctive local tool cultures such as the Aurignacian, Solutrean, and Magdalenian flourished during this relatively brief period, producing a great variety of skillfully flaked tools as well as tools made of bone, antler, wood, and other materials.
6. Compare Mesolithic

Other Words From

• prepa·le·o·lithic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Paleolithic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; paleo- + -lithic

Example Sentences

There are cave paintings in France depicting bison, other animals and humans from this time, called the Upper Paleolithic Era.

From Salon

But her messaging architecture should lead with a powerful statement that speaks to — and glorifies — the entire nation while expressing wild optimism about our prospects under her leadership and contempt for Trump’s Paleolithic policy plans.

From Salon

The original discoveries were one of the most significant Paleolithic finds in the UK.

From BBC

Yet even if Paleolithic runners were more like weekend warriors than full-time marathoners, that’s still a useful skill, they say.

From Science Magazine

Primitive stone implements have traditionally characterized the Lower Paleolithic period, which lasted from about 2.7 million years ago to 200,000 years ago.

From New York Times