The Paleolithic era, also called the Old Stone Age, is the longest era in human history, beginning with the first hominins to use stone tools around 3.3 million years ago. The era ended about 12,000 years ago with the beginning of the Neolithic era, which saw the rise of agriculture. The Paleolithic era is characterized by the use of stone tools, as well as the development of human culture and technology. The first hominins to use stone tools were the early hominins of the genus Homo, such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus. These early hominins used simple stone tools, such as hand axes and scrapers, for cutting, scraping, and hunting. Over time, stone tool technology became more complex, and humans began to use a wider variety of tools, including spears, arrows, and axes. The Paleolithic era also saw the development of human art, music, and religion.