Paleolithic
Paleolithic
Paleolithic (pronunciation: /ˌpeɪlɪəˈlɪθɪk/), also known as the Old Stone Age, is a prehistoric period in human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools. The term "Paleolithic" comes from the Greek words "palaios" (old) and "lithos" (stone), meaning "old age of the stone".
Etymology
The term "Paleolithic" was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865. It is derived from the Greek words "palaios" (παλαιός), meaning "old", and "lithos" (λίθος), meaning "stone". The term thus translates to "Old Stone Age", a reference to the period's characteristic use of stone tools.
Related Terms
- Prehistory: The span of time before recorded history.
- Stone Age: The earliest known period of human culture, marked by the creation and use of stone tools.
- Mesolithic: The cultural period of the Stone Age between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.
- Neolithic: The final division of the Stone Age, characterized by the first developments of farming.
- Archaeology: The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
See Also
- Hunter-gatherer: A human living in a society in which most or all food is obtained by foraging.
- Ice Age: A glacial episode during a past geological period.
- Cave painting: A prehistoric picture on the interior of a cave, often depicting animals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Paleolithic
- Wikipedia's article - Paleolithic
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski