Mesolithic

Mesolithic is a period in the development of human technology that is traditionally considered the middle part of the Stone Age. The broad period lasted from 15,000 to 5,000 BC. The term "Mesolithic" is used to describe sites falling between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic periods. While the start and end dates of the Mesolithic period vary by geographical region, the culture and technology of Mesolithic societies is distinct.

Overview

The Mesolithic period represents a transitional phase between the hunter-gatherer cultures of the Paleolithic period and the farming cultures of the Neolithic period. During the Mesolithic period, humans developed an increasingly sophisticated understanding of their environment and learned to manipulate it to their advantage. This period is characterized by the development of microliths, small stone tools that were part of more complex tools and weapons, and the increasing reliance on a broader range of plant and animal resources than in the Paleolithic period.

Regional Variations

The Mesolithic period is not universally recognized, and in many regions, this period is either not used or is replaced by regional terms. For example, in the New World, the term "Archaic period" is more commonly used, while in much of Asia, the term "Epipaleolithic" is often used.

See Also

• Paleolithic
• Neolithic
• Stone Age
• Archaic period
• Epipaleolithic

References

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