Lower Paleolithic culture-
The Lower Paleolithic (or Lower Palaeolithic) is the earliest subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. It spans the time from around 2.5 million years ago when the first evidence of craft and use of stone tools by hominids appears in the current archaeological record, until around 300,000 years ago, spanning the Pre-chellan, Chellan and Acheulean ages. The users of these tools werent humans but rather the ancestors like Homo Habilis; the first species of genus Homo and homo erectus.(2.5 M -70k yBP)
Pre-chellan- Defined by rough and unwieldy hand axes and flakes.
Chellan- Large core tools with made by knocking off big flakes.
Acheulean- Balanced core tools with significant edge and piont.
Middle Paleolithic culture- The period is marked by frequent changes in the climate. The mousterian period attached to middle paleolithic age belongs to Homo Sapien Neanderthalensis. This species of humans existed in Europe, near east and africa ( new finds in Russia and upper China). The period is marked by improved tool making technique. Tools were made by percussion technique and the flakes were refined by pressure method. The main apparatus are- stone levelers, knives, lance and spear.(70 -40k yBP)
Upper Paleolith is the period when we see the arrival of modern human beings. This period sees the emergence of blades and core tools virtually disappear. Along with stone tools the other prominent characteristic is the usage of bone, ivory and horns as weapons and artwork. Other striking features are the lifelike artwork in the form of paintings on the walls and figurines (especially venusian). This shows entry of magic and religion into the human life. Fire usage was prevalent during the period. (70 -20k yBP)
Mesolithic age- It was the short period between upper paleolith and neolith, marked by the end of wurm glaciation. Most of the advancements in art and tool making technology degraded. We find loops used for catching fish in the period. A rough form of cultivation and domestication may also have emerged during the period. The one marked improvement of the period was the emerges of settled sedentious life.(20 -11.5k yBP)
Neolithic period means the new stone age. Two revolutionary changes took place in the period; domesticaion of animals and agriculture. Plough and potters wheel too were invented in the period. Cotton was domesticated and art of clothmaking emerged. Fishing in the current form with harpoons and hooks emerged.(9.5 -3.5k BC)
Further reading-
http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/bill.schell/civweb101/prehistory.htm
Bronze Age-
soon after the discovery of copper people discovered that mixing it with tin, they could get bronze, a metal much stronger and useful. The stone tools from neolithic times continued to be used but the knowledge of bronze was common.The Bronze Age is a time period characterized by the use of bronze, proto-writing, and other early features of urban civilization. (3.5-1.5 BC)
Iron age-
The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of these materials coincided with other changes in society, including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles. The Iron Age as an archaeological term indicates the condition as to civilization and culture of a people using iron as the material for their cutting tools and weapons.
In historical archaeology, the ancient literature of the Iron Age includes the earliest texts preserved in manuscript tradition. Sanskrit literature and Chinese literature flourished in the Iron Age. Other texts include the Avestan Gathas, the Indian Vedas and the oldest parts of the Hebrew Bible. The principal feature that distinguishes the Iron Age from the preceding ages is the introduction of alphabetic characters, and the consequent development of written language which enabled literature and historic record.(1.5- date BC))
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