Paleolithicalong

Paleolithicalong is a neologism used in archaeology and paleoanthropology to describe the idea that Paleolithic lifeways, particularly lithic technology and hunter-gatherer subsistence strategies, persisted for longer than is typically assumed. The term is not tied to a single culture or region; rather, it functions as a conceptual lens for examining continuity in material culture across regions where Neolithic transitions were delayed or uneven.

The word combines Paleolithic with the English adverb long, signaling duration. It does not have formal status in major scholarly taxonomies and is largely used in informal discussions, theoretical essays, or online debates.

In practice, Paleolithicalong is used to discuss cases where stone tool industries appear to endure alongside agricultural economies, or where archaeobotanical or faunal evidence suggests a long hunter-gatherer phase in spite of neighboring regions adopting farming. It emphasizes continuity and regional variation rather than discrete periodization.

Because it is a loose concept rather than a standardized term, Paleolithicalong should be distinguished from established period labels such as Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic, as well as from region-specific terminologies. When used, it invites caution against overgeneralization about timing and cultural change.

See also: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, lithic technology, hunter-gatherer, archaeology.