Paleolithic

American  

[pey-lee-uh-lith-ik, pal-ee-] / ˌpeɪ li əˈlɪθ ɪk, ˌpæl i- /

adjective

1. (sometimes lowercase) 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..

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Paleolithic Scientific  

/ 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 Neolithic

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Other Word Forms

• prepaleolithic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Paleolithic

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

Compare meaning

How does paleolithic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Paleolithic vs. Neolithic

Example Sentences

Wilson famously remarked, “The real problem of humanity is … we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology.”

From Los Angeles Times

At the Final Paleolithic site of Mühlheim-Dietesheim in Germany, researchers from Aarhus University identified faint blue traces on a stone artifact that dates to roughly 13,000 years ago.

From Science Daily

Privately, they have explained to me that it is the manager’s decision to blast inane, Paleolithic Rick Astley tunes at ear-shattering volumes.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the Upper Paleolithic, more than 12,000 years ago, bodies were buried under extremely heavy objects, as if they still required restraint.

From The Wall Street Journal

"These large cutting tools are among the most iconic artifacts of the Paleolithic and are instantly recognizable even today, so are a very important find," explains Dr. Karahan.

From Science Daily