Kivikautena

Kivikautena, often translated as the Stone Age, refers to a broad prehistoric period characterized by the widespread use of stone tools. This era predates the development of metalworking and spans a significant portion of human history. It is generally divided into three main sub-periods: the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and the Neolithic (New Stone Age).

The Paleolithic, the longest phase of the Stone Age, began with the earliest stone tool production by hominins and lasted until around 10,000 BCE. During this time, humans were primarily nomadic hunter-gatherers, living in small groups and relying on hunting animals and gathering plants for survival. They developed increasingly sophisticated stone tools, such as hand axes and scrapers, and began to utilize fire. Early forms of art and symbolic behavior also emerged during this period.

The Mesolithic, which followed the Paleolithic, typically lasted from 10,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE, though its exact dating varies geographically. This period saw a shift in human adaptation to changing environments after the last Ice Age. Humans developed smaller, more refined stone tools, known as microliths, which were often hafted onto bone or wood to create composite implements like arrows and spears. This era also witnessed a greater diversity in subsistence strategies, with increased reliance on fishing and gathering smaller game.

The Neolithic, beginning around 8,000 BCE, marked a revolutionary transformation with the advent of agriculture and the domestication of plants and animals. This led to more sedentary lifestyles, the development of permanent settlements, and the rise of pottery and more advanced polished stone tools. The Neolithic period laid the foundation for later societal developments, including the emergence of villages, complex social structures, and eventually, the Bronze Age.