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Paleolithic: meaning, definitions and examples

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paleolithic

 

[ ˌpeɪliəˈlɪθɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

prehistoric period

Paleolithic refers to the earliest period of human history, marked by the development of stone tools and the use of fire. This era, often termed the 'Old Stone Age', spans from approximately 2.6 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago. During this time, humans were primarily nomadic hunters and gatherers, depending on their environment for food. The Paleolithic period laid the foundation for subsequent developments in human culture, social structures, and technology.

Synonyms

Old Stone Age, ancient, prehistoric.

Examples of usage

  • Paleolithic cave paintings have been discovered in numerous locations.
  • The Paleolithic diet mimics the eating habits of our prehistoric ancestors.
  • Archaeologists study Paleolithic artifacts to understand early human life.

Translations

Translations of the word "paleolithic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paleolítico

🇮🇳 पैलियोलिथिक

🇩🇪 paläolithisch

🇮🇩 paleolitik

🇺🇦 палеоліт

🇵🇱 paleolit

🇯🇵 旧石器時代

🇫🇷 paléolithique

🇪🇸 paleolítico

🇹🇷 paleolitik

🇰🇷 구석기 시대

🇸🇦 العصر الحجري القديم

🇨🇿 paleolit

🇸🇰 paleolit

🇨🇳 旧石器时代

🇸🇮 paleolit

🇮🇸 paleólítíkur

🇰🇿 палеолит

🇬🇪 პალეოლითი

🇦🇿 paleolit

🇲🇽 paleolítico

Etymology

The term 'Paleolithic' is derived from the Greek words 'palaios', meaning 'old', and 'lithos', meaning 'stone'. It was first used in the 19th century by archaeologists to describe the earliest known period of human culture characterized by the production of stone tools. This classification emerged as scholars began to understand the vast timeline of human development and the significant shifts in technology and lifestyle that occurred over millennia. The Paleolithic period is foundational to the study of human evolution, as it encapsulates the time when Homo sapiens first emerged and adapted to various environments. As research into archaeology and anthropology advanced, the importance of the Paleolithic era became increasingly recognized, leading to numerous discoveries of artifacts, cave paintings, and signs of early human social structures that provide valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,740, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.