What was the Stone Age?

For thousands of years, people have used tools made from various materials. As scientists have uncovered evidence of past communities and civilizations they have found that human history is divided into at least three major “ages.” The Stone Age is considered the first of these long periods, based on evidence from archaeological digs and other materials.

Thousands of years before the birth of Christ, human beings used stone found around their living areas. These were often shaped into tools for cutting as well as for fighting and killing animals for food. While the change from one material to another was gradual, such as the move from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, scientists have been able to identify the changes with some accuracy.

A Long Time Ago

To get some idea of how far back the Stone Age was we need to look at the beginning of a more “modern” age – the Iron Age. This period of iron and steel tools and other objects extends from about 1200 years B.C. almost to the current time. Later periods included in the Iron Age date from about 800 B.C.

Since the Bronze Age preceded the Iron Age we can get an idea of how far back archaeologists have to go to date the Stone Age. Unlike the Bronze and Iron ages, the Stone Age isn’t closely connected to changes in major religions and government structures.

In history books, science texts and encyclopedia publications the Stone Age is described as prehistoric, meaning that there is no written/recorded evidence of life during that time. Humans used stone for tools and for tool-making. Among these were flint, basalt and sandstone. People apparently made use of bone, wood and clay as well.

The Stone Age is generally believed to extend from 2.5 million years ago to about 3,000 years before the birth of Christ. Scientists have discovered stone tools in a few areas of north Africa that date from this long time period. The age of stone-tool use began to fade when human beings settled down to agriculture, raising animals and also when they began to produce metals from copper ore.

The Dating System

As mentioned earlier, the Stone Age is the first part of a three-part system used to give our history some structure. This period is divided into several sub-parts or eras, with definitions based on small changes in lifestyle, tool-making and so on. Some scientists take issue with covering such a large period of time with one name. The millions of years probably include well-defined “ages,” according to some studies. The range of dates is still disputed in some academic circles and is discussed as if the final designation is still to be made. One of the problems with definite time periods for beginning and ending the Stone Age is that some cultures didn’t move from stone to metal on their own. They were introduced to bronze and iron by outside populations. The Stone Age as a name for this period may be somewhat misleading but it is still in common use.