Stone Age
The Stone Age is part of the three-age system used to classify prehistoric societies (Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age). It almost goes without saying, but they are categorized by the main material used to forge tools, which is indicative of their sophistication. The Stone Age is the earliest and longest period of human prehistory. Its timeframe varies widely across the globe, with some regions transitioning to the use of metal earlier than others. Generally, it began around 3 million years ago with the first known stone tool and lasted until approximately 3300 BCE.
During this vast era, humans evolved from early hominids to anatomically modern Homo sapiens, developing higher levels of cognition and gradually transitioning from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled civilizations. During this time, humans controlled fire, started farming, domesticated animals, made art, and began having spiritual beliefs and rituals. With the emergence of metal tools, the Bronze Age signaled the end of the Stone Age.
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