When did the stone age start?

The Stone Age is the period in human history when stone was the primary material used to make tools and weapons. It began with the earliest known hominins around 2.6 million years ago and lasted until the development of metalworking, which began in the 4th millennium BC. The Stone Age is traditionally divided into three periods: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.

- The Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) began around 2.6 million years ago and ended around 11,700 BC. During this period, hominins made simple stone tools, such as hand axes and scrapers, by chipping away at rocks. They also used bone and wood tools. The Paleolithic is characterized by a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

- The Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) began around 11,700 BC and ended around 8000 BC. During this period, humans began to make more complex stone tools, such as arrowheads and spear points. They also began to use pottery and domesticated plants and animals. The Mesolithic is characterized by a transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more sedentary lifestyle.

- The Neolithic (New Stone Age) began around 8000 BC and ended around 3000 BC. During this period, humans began to make polished stone tools, such as axes and adzes. They also began to build permanent settlements and develop complex social structures. The Neolithic is characterized by the rise of agriculture and the development of complex civilizations.