Paleolithic:- It is the earliest Stone age period dating 2.6 million years ago. The age is distinguished by most primitive stone tools. Humans during the era grouped together in small “bands” and were involved in gathering plants, fishing and hunting. The age can be divided into lower Paleolithic, middle Paleolithic and upper Paleolithic. During the end of the age, people developed spiritual and religious beliefs as depicted in some of the excavations.
Mesolithic:- It is the second period of stone age between Paleolithic and Neolithic. The start and end of the age vary by geographical region. It is a transition period from hunting and gathering as in Paleolithic to domestication as in Neolithic. The tools used were mode V chipped stone tools (microliths).
Neolithic:- It is the 3rd period of stone age and is often referred to as “New stone age”. Its time period is considered to be around 10,200 BC to 4,500BC , which ended with the beginning of “Bronze Age”. Only one human race (“homosapiens”) was found during this period. People lived in small tribes and were involved in domestication of animals. There is evidence of people living in permanent houses. There is also evidence of crop farming and cultivation during the period.
Microlith:- It is a small tool made up flint or chert. They were used to form the points of hunting weapons. Different kinds of microliths are associated with different periods like geometric microlith is associated with Mesolithic and Neolithic period of stone age.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Neanderthals: who they were, how they lived, and how we are related to them.
