1) Stone Age:
This was the earliest period in human history, lasting from around 2.6 million years ago until about 3,000 BC. During this time, humans used stone tools for hunting, gathering, and other activities. The Stone Age is further subdivided into three periods based on the complexity and sophistication of stone tools:
- Paleolithic ("Old Stone Age"): Started around 2.6 million years ago and continued until about 10,000 BC. Humans use simple stone tools, primarily made by chipping away at rocks to create sharp edges.
- Mesolithic ("Middle Stone Age"): It lasted from about 10,000 to 5,000 BC. Humans begin to develop more advanced stone tools, including smaller and more intricate arrowheads, scrapers, and spears.
- Neolithic ("New Stone Age"): It started around 5,000 BC and extended into the Bronze Age. It marked the shift towards settled agricultural societies and the development of polished stone tools, pottery making and the beginning of domesticating plants and animals.
2) Bronze Age:
The Bronze Age followed the Stone Age and lasted from about 3,000 BC to 1,200 BC. During this time, humans discovered how to mix copper with tin to create a stronger and more durable metal called bronze. Bronze was used to make weapons, tools, and other objects, leading to significant advancements in technology and society.
3) Iron Age:
The Iron Age began around 1,200 BC and continued until the early Middle Ages. Humans learned to extract iron from ore and use it to make tools and weapons. Iron was even stronger and more durable than bronze, revolutionizing warfare, construction, and various aspects of daily life.
These divisions provide a general overview of technological development during prehistoric times, but it's important to note that there can be regional variations and overlaps between these ages, as different societies made the transition from stone to metal tools at different times.