The Paleolithic Age, also known as the Old Stone Age, spans a vast period of prehistory from about 2.5 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago. It is characterized by the use of stone tools crafted by early human ancestors such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus. During this era, humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on hunting wild animals and gathering edible plants for sustenance. Their societies were small and nomadic, moving in search of food and shelter.

Artistic expressions began to emerge in the form of cave paintings, sculptures, and personal adornments, showcasing early humans’ cognitive abilities and symbolic thinking. Fire was mastered during this time, serving both as a source of warmth and protection and for cooking food, which improved nutrition and energy efficiency.

The Paleolithic Age saw gradual advancements in tool technology, from simple choppers and hand axes to more refined implements. Social structures evolved within communities, likely organized around kinship ties and cooperative hunting. This era laid the foundation for human adaptation and innovation, setting the stage for future developments such as agriculture and settled civilizations in the Neolithic Age that followed.