https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Age
Three-age system
The three-age system is the periodization of human prehistory (with some overlap into the historical periods in a few regions) into three time-periods: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age.
Stone Age
The period lasted for roughly 3.4 million years[1] and ended between 4,000 BC and 2,000 BC, with the advent of metalworking.[2] It therefore represents nearly 99.3% of human history.
The Stone Age is the first period in the three-age system frequently used in archaeology to divide the timeline of human technological prehistory into functional periods, with the next two being the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, respectively. The Stone Age is also commonly divided into three distinct periods: the earliest and most primitive being the Paleolithicera; a transitional period with finer tools known as the Mesolithic era; and the final stage known as the Neolithic era. Neolithic peoples were the first to transition away from hunter-gatherer societies into the settled lifestyle of inhabiting towns and villages as agriculture became widespread. In the chronology of prehistory, the Neolithic era usually overlaps with the Chalcolithic ("Copper") era preceding the Bronze Age.
The major subdivisions of the Three-age Stone Age cross two epoch boundaries on the geologic time scale:
- The geologic Pliocene–Pleistocene boundary (highly glaciated climate)
- The Paleolithic period of archaeology
- The geologic Pleistocene–Holocene boundary (modern climate)
- Mesolithic or Epipaleolithic period of archaeology
- Neolithic period of archaeology
Paleolithic
It extends from the earliest known use of stone tools by hominins, c. 3.3 million years ago, to the end of the Pleistocene, c. 11,650 cal BP.[2]
Lower Paleolithic
about 2,500,000 to 200,000 years ago
Middle Paleolithic
c. 300,000–28,000 years ago
Upper Paleolithic
50,000 and 12,000 years ago (the beginning of the Holocene)
Epipaleolithic/Mesolithic
10,000 years to around 6,000 years ago
Neolithic
The Neolithic, or New Stone Age, was approximately characterized by the adoption of agriculture. The shift from food gathering to food producing, in itself one of the most revolutionary changes in human history, was accompanied by the so-called Neolithic Revolution: the development of pottery, polished stone tools, and construction of more complex, larger settlements such as Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük. Some of these features began in certain localities even earlier, in the transitional Mesolithic. The first Neolithic cultures started around 7000 BC in the fertile crescent and spread concentrically to other areas of the world.
Bronze Age
approximately 3300 to 1200 BC
Late Bronze Age collapse
The Late Bronze Age collapse was a time of widespread societal collapse during the 12th century BC associated with environmental change, mass migration, and the destruction of cities.
How to explain the Late Bronze Age collapse? (ChatGPT, 2024-7-14)
The Late Bronze Age collapse, occurring around 1200 BCE, was a period of significant upheaval in the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East. Several factors contributed to this collapse:
1. **Invasion by Sea Peoples**: Various groups collectively referred to as the Sea Peoples attacked and disrupted the major civilizations around the Mediterranean. Their invasions contributed to the downfall of several states, including the Hittite Empire and the weakening of Egypt.
2. **Internal Rebellions and Civil Strife**: Many civilizations faced internal conflicts and rebellions. For instance, the Mycenaean civilization in Greece experienced internal turmoil, leading to its collapse.
3. **Natural Disasters**: Earthquakes, droughts, and famines likely played a significant role. There is evidence of widespread destruction from earthquakes, and climate change leading to prolonged droughts could have caused food shortages and societal stress.
4. **Economic Disruption**: The complex trade networks of the Late Bronze Age were disrupted, leading to economic instability. The loss of trade routes and the destruction of major trade centers would have had cascading effects on these societies.
5. **Technological Changes**: The introduction of iron technology began to change military and economic dynamics, possibly contributing to the decline of bronze-based economies and military structures.
6. **Decline in Central Authority**: Centralized administrations in various states weakened, leading to loss of control and inability to manage resources effectively. This administrative collapse made these civilizations more vulnerable to external and internal pressures.
The combination of these factors created a perfect storm that led to the widespread collapse of several major Bronze Age civilizations. The period following this collapse saw a significant decline in population, literacy, and urban life, marking the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the subsequent Iron Age.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age.[1] It has also been considered as the final Age of the three-age division starting with prehistory (before recorded history) and progressing to protohistory (before written history). In this usage, it is preceded by the Stone Age (subdivided into the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic) and Bronze Age.
When did the Iron Age start? (ChatGPT, 2024-7-14)
The start of the Iron Age varies by region but generally began around 1200 BCE to 600 BCE, depending on the geographical area:
1. **Near East (including Mesopotamia and Anatolia)**: The Iron Age started around 1200 BCE. The Hittites and later the Assyrians were among the first to develop iron smelting techniques.
2. **Eastern Mediterranean (including Greece)**: The Iron Age began around 1100 BCE, following the Late Bronze Age collapse. This period is marked by the decline of the Mycenaean civilization and the subsequent Greek Dark Ages.
3. **Indian Subcontinent**: The Iron Age in India began around 1200 BCE with the introduction of iron tools and weapons in the region.
4. **Europe (including Central and Western Europe)**: The Iron Age started later, around 800 BCE. The Hallstatt culture in Central Europe is one of the earliest examples of Iron Age civilization in Europe.
5. **China**: The transition to the Iron Age occurred around 600 BCE during the Zhou dynasty, which saw the introduction of iron metallurgy.
The Iron Age is characterized by the widespread use of iron for tools, weapons, and other implements, which significantly influenced agricultural productivity, military capabilities, and overall societal development.
