The Paleolithic (from the Greek παλαιός, palaiós: 'ancient', and λίθος, lithos: 'stone') means etymologically ancient stone, a term created by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865 as opposed to Neolithic (new stone). It is the longest period of human existence (in fact it covers 99% of it and extends from about 2.59 million years ago (in Africa) 1 until about 12,000 years ago. the Mesolithic / Epipaleolithic (transition phases) and the Neolithic, the so-called Stone Age, so called because the elaboration of lithic tools has served archaeologists to characterize it (as opposed to the later Metal Age).
The transfer of the Paleolithic to the Neolithic occurs when human history appeared and generalized agriculture and livestock grazing (cattle), giving rise to agrarian societies. Normally, but not necessarily, it is accompanied by pottery work. In the Neolithic appear the first settlements and sedentary human settlements. The Neolithic period was followed, according to the regions, by the Age of Metals or directly by the Ancient Age, in which arose the writing and civilizations.
