page_title: Palaeolithic
hierarchical_section_title: Palaeolithic
caption_attribution_description: Español: Bifaz lanceolado de cuarcita procedente del nivel TG-10 del yacimiento de «Galería» en Atapuerca (Burgos, España), se data en unos 350&#160;000 años English: Handaxe in quartzite, its comes from the bed TG-10 of «&#160;Galería» in Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) and it is dated circa 350,000 years Français&#160;: Biface de quartzite, il provien de l'excavation du niveau TG-10 de «&#160;Galería», à Atapuerca (Burgos, l'Espagne) et a etté daté en 350.000 années
context_page_description: The Palaeolithic, refers to the prehistoric period when stone tools were made by humans. They are found in the Great Rift Valley of Africa from about 3.3 million years ago. They were probably made by Australopithecines. They are found in Europe somewhat later, from about 1 mya. The Palaeolithic is by far the longest period of humanity's time, about 99% of human history. The geological period which corresponds to the Palaeolithic is the Pleistocene.
  Stone tools were not only made by our own species, Homo sapiens. They were made by all previous members of the genus, starting with relatively crude tools made by Homo habilis and Homo erectus. In Europe, the large-brained Neanderthal Man made tools of high quality, and was in turn outshone by the many tools made by our own species. These tools are the first cultural products which have survived.
  The Palaeolithic dates from about 2.6 million years ago and ended around 15,000BC with the Mesolithic in Western Europe, and with the Epipaleolithic in warmer climates such as Africa. The Palaeolithic age began when hominids started to use stones as tools for bashing, cutting and scraping.
context_section_description: The Palaeolithic, (or Paleolithic), refers to the prehistoric period when stone tools were made by humans. They are found in the Great Rift Valley of Africa from about 3.3 million years ago. They were probably made by Australopithecines. They are found in Europe somewhat later, from about 1 mya (0.7mya for Britain). The Palaeolithic is by far the longest period of humanity's time, about 99% of human history. The geological period which corresponds to the Palaeolithic is the Pleistocene.
  Stone tools were not only made by our own species, Homo sapiens. They were made by all previous members of the genus, starting with relatively crude tools made by Homo habilis and Homo erectus. In Europe, the large-brained Neanderthal Man (Homo neanderthalensis) made tools of high quality, and was in turn outshone by the many tools made by our own species. These tools are the first cultural products which have survived.
  The Palaeolithic dates from about 2.6  million years ago  and ended around 15,000BC with the Mesolithic in Western Europe, and with the Epipaleolithic in warmer climates such as Africa. The Palaeolithic age began when hominids (early humans) started to use stones as tools for bashing, cutting and scraping. The age ended when humans began to make small, fine tools (Mesolithic) and finally when humans  began to plant crops and have other types of agriculture (Neolithic). In some areas, such as Western Europe, the way that people lived was affected by the Ice age. The move towards agriculture started in the Middle East.
  During the Palaeolithic Age humans grouped together in small bands. They lived by gathering plants and hunting wild animals. As well as using stone tools, they used tools of wood and bone. They probably also used leather and vegetable fibers but these have not lasted from that time.
caption: Two sides of a stone hand axe: Spain 350kya
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