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Paleolithic

adjective
Pa·​leo·​lith·​ic | \ ˌpā-lē-ə-ˈli-thik How to pronounce Paleolithic (audio) , especially British ˌpa- How to pronounce Paleolithic (audio) \

Definition of Paleolithic

: of or relating to the earliest period of the Stone Age characterized by rough or chipped stone implements

Did You Know?

Since lithos means "stone" in Greek, the name Paleolithic was given to the older part of the Stone Age. The first known period of human culture, the Paleolithic actually covers almost all of human history, from the first use of stone tools around 2.5 million years ago until the invention of agriculture around 10,000 years ago. For almost all that time, humans used the very crudest of stone tools, produced by chipping away flakes of stone in order to make an edge for an ax or knife. Near the end of the period, animal bones and antlers were being used for tools, especially pointed tools, and sculpted figures and cave art were being produced. The Paleolithic gave way to the Mesolithic ("Middle Stone Age") period, with its tools made of polished stone, wood, and bone.

First Known Use of Paleolithic

1865, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Paleolithic

International Scientific Vocabulary

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More Definitions for Paleolithic

Paleolithic

adjective
How to pronounce Paleolithic (audio) How to pronounce Paleolithic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of Paleolithic

: of or relating to the time during the early Stone Age when people made rough tools and weapons out of stone

See the full definition for Paleolithic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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