Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Prehistoric peoples are the earliest humans, studied through prehistoric archaeology, which examines artifacts and fossilized remains. This era is broadly divided into the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age) periods, distinguished by the sophistication of stone tool technology.12

The Paleolithic Period, beginning around 3.3 million years ago, is characterized by rudimentary chipped stone tools. Early humans, including species like Homo erectus and later Homo sapiens, developed increasingly specialized tools from stone, bone, and ivory. They also created art, such as cave paintings and small sculptures.3456

As climates changed after the last Ice Age, the Mesolithic Period saw adaptations to new environments and resources. The Neolithic Period, beginning around the 7th millennium BCE, marked the widespread adoption of farming and the establishment of permanent settlements, laying the foundation for future civilizations.75

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.